NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks delivered one of their stronger offensive performances of late on Thursday night on the road, but persistent defensive issues and a lack of bench production proved too much to overcome in a 126–113 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Playing the second leg of a back-to-back and without team captain & All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks showed early energy racing out to a 28–14 first-quarter lead behind aggressive defense and sharp shotmaking. New York led by as many as 17 points and appeared in control before momentum shifted late in the opening quarter.
The Knicks fell to the Warriors on the road Thursday night by a final of 126-113, marking their seventh loss in the last nine games – Image Credit: NBA
Golden State closed the first on an 11–2 run, trimming the deficit to five, and gradually seized control as the Knicks’ defense faltered. The Warriors shot efficiently throughout the night, finishing at 54 percent from the field and knocking down 20 three-pointers.
Despite the loss, New York received strong performances from its starting unit. OG Anunoby and Miles McBride each scored 25 points, while Mikal Bridges added 21 on an efficient 9-for-11 shooting night. Dominican-American Karl-Anthony Towns posted 17 points and 20 rebounds, providing consistent effort on the glass while battling foul trouble.
The Knicks trailed just 62–59 at halftime, but defensive breakdowns escalated after the break. Golden State scored 37 points in the third quarter, building a double-digit cushion as New York struggled to generate stops or contain dribble penetration. The Warriors had 99 points through three quarters, and the Knicks never fully recovered.
The Knicks went 1-3 on their four-game West Coast road trip, with the only win coming against Portland – Image Credit: NBA
New York’s bench played a significant role in the defeat, providing little resistance or scoring punch during key stretches. The Warriors capitalized on transition opportunities and second chance looks, repeatedly answering Knicks runs with timely shotmaking.
“I thought we played good in stretches tonight,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said postgame. “Our level of competitiveness was there.”
Brown acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing his team but remained confident in the group’s long-term outlook:
“I believe we will turn it around. I believe in this group. I like the group, the potential. This is a new area we’re in right now, and I need to find ways to help them — whether that’s more rest, simplifying offense, defense, trying other guys.”
The Knicks showed resilience late, cutting the deficit to single digits behind Anunoby’s aggressive drives and McBride’s perimeter shooting, but defensive lapses continued to undermine any comeback attempt. Golden State repeatedly found open shooters, including a late transition three that halted New York’s final push.
OG Anunoby finished Thursday night’s affair against Golden State with 25 points, 4 rebounds, one assist and a steal – Image Credit: NBA
With the loss, the Knicks dropped to 1–3 on their four-game West Coast road trip and have now lost seven of their last nine games. While the offense has shown signs of growth, defensive consistency remains the team’s most pressing concern.
New York returns home Saturday to host Phoenix at Madison Square Garden, looking to reset after a challenging stretch and rediscover the balance that fueled its early-season success.
Mike Brown and Karl-Anthony Towns Still Searching for Alignment
There’s no denying that Towns played hard Thursday night, finishing with 17 points and 20 rebounds while battling Draymond Green physically and emotionally throughout the game. But effort alone hasn’t been enough, and the disconnect between Towns and head coach Mike Brown continues to surface as one of the Knicks’ most pressing issues.
Towns remains an elite rebounder and offensive weapon, yet his decision-making and foul discipline repeatedly hurt New York at key moments. With Jalen Brunson sidelined, the responsibility to anchor both ends fell squarely on Towns’ shoulders, and while the production was there, the control was not.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks will look to get right in their next matchup coming up this Saturday at MSG against the Suns – Image Credit: NBA
Brown acknowledged the broader challenges facing his team, noting that he must continue to explore adjustments:
“This is a new area we’re in right now, and I need to find ways to help them. Whether that’s more rest, simplifying offense, defense, trying other guys.”
That quote encapsulates the current state of the Knicks. The talent is obvious. The offensive pieces can score. But the cohesion—particularly defensively remains elusive.
If New York is going to reverse course after losing seven of its last nine games, it won’t be about effort or belief. It will come down to structure, accountability, and whether Brown and Towns can finally find common ground within a system that demands discipline on every possession.
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