In Game 2 of the first-round playoff match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks suffered a complete team failure. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s decision to bench Julius Randle in the final minutes of the game seemed senseless and capped off the disappointing performance of the team (New York Post).
Despite Randle’s absence, the team played on, but they were outmatched by the Cavaliers, who punched back as they promised (New York Post). The Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett also struggled offensively, as Quickley needs to regain his sixth sense while Barrett struggles to make buckets (New York Post). Josh Hart of the Knicks played through an ankle injury but wasn’t able to contribute much as the team lost (New York Post).
In terms of tactics, the Knicks have made it clear what they are willing to yield, as they defended Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers and displayed a knack for clutch free throws by Quentin Grimes (The Athletic).
The Knicks face tough odds against the Cavaliers, especially after their Game 2 loss. The Cavaliers will try to bounce back and prevent the Knicks from gaining another victory in their playoff series. The game is set to be shown live on TV, and interested viewers can watch online as well (CBS Sports).
With these developments in mind, Knicks fans now have six concerns going forward, as the team faces tough challenges in the playoffs ahead (Posting and Toasting). However, there is still hope for the Knicks, as Julius Randle is “fine” after a hard fall in the previous game (New York Post).
