NEW YORK -- Max Christie scored a season-high 26 points, Cooper Flagg had 18 in his first pro game at Madison Square Garden and the Dallas Mavericks rolled to a 114-97 victory Monday over the New York Knicks, who were booed frequently in the first half while falling behind by 30. The Knicks lost their fourth straight and ninth in 11 games, even with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart back from ankle injuries to return them to full strength.
NEW YORK -- Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns revealed he is dealing with a Grade 2 quad strain, which led to his "will he or won't he" status in the hours leading up to Wednesday night's season-opening 119-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Shortly before gametime, Towns declared himself fit to play, then scored 19 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes in a matchup between the two favorites in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks clearly have made changes, firing coach Tom Thibodeau despite the success he brought, importing Mike Brown to revamp the system and strengthening the bench. But all of the changes that work fine on paper work only if the Knicks can figure out a way to play to their strengths - the offensive ability of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
