Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Praises New York Knicks After Oklahoma City Thunder’s 103-100 Win
The Oklahoma City Thunder survived a fourth-quarter push from the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not hold back when asked about the opponent afterward.
After the Thunder held on for a 103-100 victory, Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP — sized up a Knicks team that has yet to meet its preseason billing as an Eastern Conference favorite.
“Good team. Obviously, a good offense, then they have really good defenders up there as well, so they’re well-balanced,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They’re obviously top of the East for a reason. They’re a good team, a playoff team. Really good roster.”
New York entered Wednesday in third place in the Eastern Conference, behind the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. The Knicks have been inconsistent this season, but their performance against the defending champions showed what the roster can do when it is clicking.
New York Knicks Push Oklahoma City Thunder to the Limit in Fourth Quarter
The Knicks trailed 63-48 with 8:45 remaining in the third quarter before rallying with a 24-9 run to take an 80-77 lead into the fourth. Jalen Brunson capped the surge with a 3-pointer, and Mikal Bridges added another from beyond the arc with 1.2 seconds left in the period to put New York ahead.
Oklahoma City regained the lead early in the fourth and held it the rest of the way. On the final possession, both Brunson and OG Anunoby missed 3-point attempts that would have tied the game.
Brunson finished with 16 points and a season-high 15 assists, but connected on just 5 of 18 shots from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 17 points and 17 rebounds, and Anunoby added 16 points for New York.
Chet Holmgren led Oklahoma City with 28 points and eight rebounds, tying a career high with six 3-pointers. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points, and Luguentz Dort added 16 for the Thunder, who won their fourth consecutive game and snapped New York’s three-game winning streak.
“We made enough plays on both ends down the stretch to close it out,” Holmgren said. “Obviously, they made some plays too that they just didn’t quite convert. If they do, it’s a different-looking game, but that’s how basketball goes. A win is a win.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Comments Reflect New York Knicks’ Potential
Towns, Anunoby, and Bridges have yet to find their best basketball consistently this season, so the Knicks have largely been getting results without everyone firing at once. There is still more in the tank.
New York reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, falling two wins short of a matchup with Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. The core is back, the experience carries over, and if those key contributors can get right before April, the Knicks are built to make another run.
Gilgeous-Alexander, for one, is not sleeping on them.
The Thunder host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
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