The Denver Nuggets suffered their largest loss of the season as they fell 122-84 to the New York Knicks on Thursday. The 38-point defeat marked a disappointing performance for the Nuggets, who are now 31-15 for the season. The game, which was their fifth consecutive away from Ball Arena, saw Head coach Michael Malone attributing the loss to fatigue, stating, ‘We played like a very tired team.’
Despite the team’s poor showing, Nikola Jokić stood out with an impressive performance, finishing with 31 points and 11 rebounds. However, the rest of the team struggled, shooting only 31.8 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from three-point range.
Newcomer OG Anunoby, who joined the Knicks in December via a trade with the Toronto Raptors, made a significant impact with a team-high 26 points and 6 steals. Malone praised Anunoby’s contribution, highlighting his defensive and offensive skills, as well as his impact on the team’s performance, stating, ‘There’s a reason the crowd was chanting ‘OG.’ He was outstanding.’
On the other hand, the Knicks dominated from the start, making 5 of their first 10 three-pointers and establishing a commanding lead with three separate runs. Jalen Brunson’s 21 points further extended the Knicks’ lead, ultimately resulting in a 38-point advantage over the Nuggets.
The defeat against the Knicks serves as a setback for the Nuggets, who will be looking to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games. With the season well underway, the team will need to address their performance and make necessary adjustments to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
