The New York Knicks continued their impressive start to the season with an upset win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. The Knicks, who were widely expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, have defied expectations with their gritty play and team-first mentality.
The game against the Pacers was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout the night. But when it mattered most, it was the Knicks who came up with the big plays down the stretch. Julius Randle was once again excellent for New York, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Barrett also had a strong game, chipping in with 24 points and 7 rebounds.
But it wasn’t just the stars who shone for the Knicks. The team’s depth was on full display, with contributions from several players off the bench. Alec Burks had a big night, scoring 18 points in just 23 minutes of action. And rookie Immanuel Quickley continues to impress, scoring 11 points in just 14 minutes.
The win over the Pacers was the Knicks’ fifth of the season, and it puts the team in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. While it’s still early in the season, it’s clear that the Knicks are playing with a level of intensity and focus that wasn’t present in previous years.
One of the most impressive things about the Knicks’ start to the season has been their defense. The team is currently ranked fifth in the league in defensive rating, per NBA.com. This is a major improvement from last season, when the Knicks were one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau deserves a lot of credit for the team’s early success. Thibodeau is known for his no-nonsense approach to coaching, and he’s instilled a strong work ethic in his players. The Knicks are playing hard every night, and they’re starting to reap the rewards of their effort.
Of course, it’s still early in the season, and the Knicks will face plenty of tough tests in the weeks and months ahead. But for now, it’s hard not to be impressed by what this team has accomplished. The Knicks continue to surprise, and they’re quickly gaining fans around the league with their gritty play and underdog mentality.