The Knicks close out the calendar year with a rematch of the NBA Cup Finals and another look at a possible NBA Finals preview.
They travel to San Antonio and face the Spurs on Wednesday for the third and final leg of their road trip.
Just two weeks ago, the Knicks defeated the Spurs 124-113 in the NBA Cup finals in Las Vegas.
Despite their loss, the Spurs were the most popular team in the NBA after the Cup Final, winning their next five games.
Two of those wins came against the Thunder – and they had already defeated Oklahoma City in Vegas in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Suddenly the Spurs, not the Thunder, seemed like the team to beat in the West.
But they’ve sobered up a bit, with back-to-back losses to the Jazz and Cavaliers.
Victor Wembanyama returned for the semi-finals and finals in Vegas after missing 12 games due to a calf injury, but remains on a minutes restriction. He hasn’t played more than 28 minutes since his return.
Mitchell Robinson was particularly effective in guarding Wembanyama during the cup final. And Wembanyama’s habit of aggressively chasing blocked shots often left Robinson open for offensive rebounds.
However, after missing the Knicks’ win over the Pelicans on Monday in New Orleans due to load management, Robinson is out again for Wednesday’s game.
Miles McBride returned for the Knicks during Monday’s game after missing eight games due to an ankle injury.
He finished with 14 points and was immediately placed in the final lineup.
It was his defense against Jordan Poole – navigating a screen and avoiding a foul on Poole, who was trying to bait him – that sealed the victory in the final seconds.
“I always trust God and whatever he has in mind for me,” McBride said. “He said I needed some rest, but I just wanted to come here and do what I need to do to get back in order. And get a win with the team.”
The Knicks defense has repeatedly started slowly. In seven games since their NBA Cup victory, they have allowed their opponents to score an average of 34.1 points in the first quarter.
The Pelicans scored 41 points in the first quarter on Monday.
“We understand that the way we started was unacceptable,” Jalen Brunson said. “And we had to figure out how to win a game from where we were. So we gained a lot of confidence in each other. But we had to start better.”
McBride added: “We just have to come out with more energy and more respect.”
Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) remain out for the Knicks.
Ariel Hukporti (lip laceration) is questionable. Tyler Kolek (right ankle soreness) is likely.
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