Jalen Brunson and Knicks criticized by NBA fans for blown lead in loss to SGA and Thunder | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors
News

Jalen Brunson and Knicks criticized by NBA fans for blown lead in loss to SGA and Thunder | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JANUARY 3: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

An eight-point lead in the fourth quarter on Friday night wasn’t enough to protect the New York Knicks from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks were down 37-19 in the fourth quarter as the Thunder stormed back to take a 117-107 win in Oklahoma City.

The Knicks ended the first half with a 12-point lead on Friday night thanks to a 16-4 run to end the second quarter.

The Thunder responded with an 8-0 run to start the third period.

Eight minutes before the end of the fourth quarter, Isaiah Joe regained the Thunder’s lead for the first time.

The two teams spent the final minutes trading baskets back and forth until Aaron Wiggins and Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Thunder the lead for good.

Although the Knicks were ahead by as many as 14 points at the start of the game, their winning streak will now end after nine games due to their loss in the fourth quarter.

Carlos Silva @Yoplin

The Knicks going cold in the 4th is exactly the point. Most of their winning streak came from close games against bad teams. Not in the same league as the top teams.

Jacob Silverman @jsilverman81

I hate the Knicks’ late game execution. I thought they learned from this winning streak that they can rely on each other the whole way. Instead, it’s just Brunson’s isolation

Tommy Hallinan @Tommy Hallinan

The Knicks forgot how to play defense in the fourth quarter. Too many open threesomes. If you’re cold offensively, that’s one thing, but you have to play better defensively.
That was disgusting.

Michael @BlueRev2184

Absolutely miserable performance from the Knicks in the fourth quarter. Can’t we do Brunson-Isoball for the entire second half of this quarter? This team needs serious reinforcements on the bench if they want to be successful.

Rick Brunson @RickBrunson999

As good as the Knicks are, this game just shows that there is still a small gap between them and the best team in the league

The Knicks struggled behind the arc, particularly in the second half, but perhaps most concerning was the team’s limited performance off the bench.

New York’s reserves outscored the loss 44-5, thanks in large part to Wiggins’ 19 points.

Kendrick Perkins @Kendrick Perkins

OKC’s bench highlights the Knicks’ lack of depth.

ShwinnyPooh, resident of Hukporti Island @shwinnypooh

The level of physicality a team has gotten away with is a mismatch, but the Knicks’ depth is clearly a weakness.
Not exactly breaking news.

Sal @The Salayin

The Knicks won’t win a championship with a bench like that. The starting lineup is elite and can compete with anyone. I need some bench buckets. Alec Burks, Malik Beasley, Kyle Kuzma, etc. There has to be someone who can consistently get us 15 points off the bench. https://t.co/jwiZRbmlmt

Brunson, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby all reached 20 points for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns tied his season-high with 22 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points in the win, while Jalen Williams added 20 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 14 rebounds.

Despite the Knicks’ poor finish, the intensity of the matchup gave some fans hope that these two teams would meet again in the playoffs.

Fred Katz @Fred Katz

Thunder-Knicks is an incredible basketball game. Just basketball at an insane level.

Vinay K. @vkillem

Knicks Thunder is real 90s basketball
Defense, contested rebounds and middies galore

Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband

Knicks-Thunder is simply basketball at the highest level. Would be an outstanding NBA Finals.

The Thunder extend their winning streak Franchise record 14 games with the win. Oklahoma City’s record now increases to 29-5 overall and 16-2 at home, further solidifying its lead over the rest of the Western Conference.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *