Game thread: New York Knicks @ Denver Nuggets 2/8/2022 9:00pm [Game #55]

rady

Administrator
Staff member

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(24-30) -- (29-24)

VenueTVTIME
Ball Arena, Denver, COMSG9:00 PM EST



Probable starters:

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Injury Report

New York KnicksDenver Nuggets
Ryan Arcidiacono - Left ankle injury (QUEST)Austin Rivers - Right hip flexor (QUEST)
Derrick Rose - Ankle surgery (OUT)Vlatko Cancar - Right fifth metatarsal fracture (QUEST)
Nerlens Noel - Sore left knee (QUEST)Michael Porter Jr - Back (OUT)
Quentin Grimes - Sore left knee (QUEST)Jamal Murray - Left ACL (OUT)


Game Preview

The New York Knicks started putting the pieces together for a contender years ago, drafting RJ Barrett third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and adding complimentary pieces such as Julius Randle.

After making the playoffs last season, New York has stumbled on and off the court so far this season, with disappointing losses and controversy following Randle. The Knicks lost to the Utah Jazz on Monday night in Salt Lake City, their ninth defeat in the past 11 games, and now travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Tuesday night.

New York is 0-2 on its five-game Western Conference road trip, staring with a tough loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. The Knicks blew a 21-point lead and fell in overtime, and an incident with Randle and video coordinator Scott King in one of the timeout huddles was caught on video.

King tried to show Randle a play on his laptop, and Randle slapped the computer. An angry exchange followed and assistant coaches Johnnie Bryant and Kenny Payne stepped into defuse the situation.

"When you have competitive people, you're going to have stuff like that," New York head coach Tom Thibodeau said ahead of the Monday game against the Jazz. "That's normal. Every team has it. It's competitive people, heat of the moment. They're good. They've got a great relationship. Everyone is trying to win. So, it's all part of it."

Randle finished with 30 points and six rebounds against the Jazz but couldn't prevent the Knicks' third straight loss.

With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday and New York six games below .500, there has been chatter about possibly moving Randle. The veteran brushed aside rumors as the road trip continued, with the next stop coming against Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP.

Jokic is having another great season and recorded his league-leading 14th triple-double in a 124-104 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Denver has stayed in the postseason picture despite injuries to impact players, largely due to the play of Jokic.

He is averaging 25.9 points, 11 rebounds and 7.9 assists, all of which lead the team, and he has done it for most of the season without a true backup center. Denver signed DeMarcus Cousins to two 10-day contracts and is contemplating keeping him on.

Cousins said Sunday he feels he's a good fit with the Nuggets.

"I think I'm a good veteran presence, I think the guys in the locker room respected my voice, I think I bring a certain type of leadership to this group," Cousins said. "Of course, I'm biased as to what I feel I can bring to a team. Ultimately the decision goes to the front office."

Denver has already made one move, bringing in Bryn Forbes on Jan. 19 in a three-team trade. The Nuggets are sitting in the sixth spot in the Western Conference but have played five more games on the road than at home.

Another trade before the deadline could bolster their roster, but coach Michael Malone said Sunday he is happy with the team he has if nothing is done before Thursday.

Game preview courtesy of:
--Field Level Media

(STATS / cbssports.com)
 
Bradley Beal out for the season for Washington. I could have totally imagined us emptying the cupboard for him and then this happening.
 
Randle with 5 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists in the opening 4 and a half minutes.

On the other side, Jokic arguably best passer in the NBA.
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Thanks for Game-Thread Rady .. Wow! We playing against the Jokic Nuggets in Denver without MitchRob & Noel 5 fouls .. not a good look tonight
 
West coast trip Randle has been the best version of Randle we have seen all year.

Randle drives from the 3 point line for the dunk. Next possession Kemba finds Fournier for his 3rd 1st quarter 3 pointer. Knicks lead by 5.
 
Toppin with the driving dunk and then draws a foul after completely losing his defender with a dribbling spin move.
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Nuggets grabbed to much pts on inside scoring in the first qtr.
36-40
Thibs messed-up a dependable 2nd unit lineup !!!
 
RJ to Toppin on the alley oop. Looked like he had to have stickum on his hand to catch that one. Obi with 8 points in 5 minutes.
 
Quickley?s sophomore slump continues. He is struggling on both ends. Thibs tries to give him a quick pep talk on his way off the court.
 
Denver has gotten hot with a 15 to 2 run and Knicks are suddenly down 15 with 7 minutes to go in the 1st half. Denver on pace to score like 160 points.
 
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