Despite their top two returning scorers having a poor shooting night from beginning to end, the Knicks played their first game of the new season to the very end.
In the Knicks’ 108-104 season-opening loss to the Celtics at the Garden, Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson combined for an 11-for-43 shooting performance from the field.
“I’m not sure, dude. All we missed were shots. After finishing with 14 points after missing 17 of 22 shots and four of five from the free-throw line, Randle remarked, “The basket had a lid on it.” “However, we’ll take and make those shots.”
In addition to missing his lone free throw attempt, a crucial technical foul shot with 2:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brunson only managed a 6-for-21 shooting percentage from the field.
“One, I need to improve. Brunson, who finished with 15 points and six assists, added, “Yeah, way better.” “We have to play for the entire 48 minutes. With about four minutes remaining, we were ahead by six points. We simply couldn’t finish it.
“I lost some momentum after missing a big free shot on the technical. I must, then, improve first and foremost. I just need to manage myself and be better and more patient. I simply didn’t make the shots that I usually do. I should do better, but I’m not too concerned about it.
Additionally, the $104 million point guard declined to blame his subpar performance on opening-night nerves.
“I have higher expectations for myself. No matter what night it is, I just have to be better,” he uttered. “Whenever I can be available, I have to be the best when it comes to basketball.”
In addition to shooting just 6 for 21 from the field, Brunson failed on his lone free-throw attempt and a crucial technical foul.
“Missing free throws, particularly at home, is mentally taxing.” I made a few turnovers in addition to the errors we made. The most crucial thing for us, in my opinion, is to continue stacking days. It’s obvious that our performance wasn’t up to par. Playing at home against a team like that merely serves to highlight our shortcomings. Although there are many benefits to it, we still need to learn.
With 4:27 left in the fourth quarter, Randle did make the game’s winning 3-pointer and ended up shooting 3-for-8 from beyond the arc overall.
Nevertheless, throughout the game, multiple close-range attempts were missed by Brunson and Randle, the team’s top scorers from the previous campaign.
Randle remarked, “I think we missed shots that we normally make, easy ones around the rim.” “For me, I can count three or four around the rim, and those are the bunnies that I typically make.” missing bunnies at the beginning of the game.
“There are nights like these. It’s a bummer because the season consists of 82 games. We’ll get better. I’ll get better. We’ll be alright.
