Comeback effort not enough to secure win against Grizzlies (127-123)

Jalen Brunson scored a game high 30 points and dished out 9 assists but the New York Knicks fell short for the second straight time at home in another dramatic loss, 127-123 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Trailing by 12 points late in the third quarter, the Knicks pushed for a comeback in the final act and took the lead back, 123-122 with 26.3 seconds on the clock.

Brunson missed a pullup jump shot with 8.6 left after Ja Morant’s two point shot went in, then he had another opportunity to send the game in OT but his driving floating jump shot didn’t fell through.

“Two shots that made a lot of in my career and I rushed them. Plain and simple, I rushed it.”

– Jalen Brunson

Despite a great effort in the fourth, the Knicks failed to get stops and when they did, they failed to capitalize.

“It came down to the end. Mitch made hell of a block, Morant came up with the ball and put it back in. That’s the difference between winning and losing right there.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Coach Thibs decided to go with Cam Reddish over Quentin Grimes down the stretch, although Grimes’ performance in the first half kept Morant to just 8 points, forcing him to turn the ball over four times.

Reddish on the other hand was on the floor during the comeback and made several important shots, convincing Thibodeau that he should finish the game on the floor.

In the end, Ja Morant’s performance (27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds) was just too much to handle and was also a clear message that despite great effort from the entire team, the Knicks lack a super star caliber player.

RJ Barrett finished with 22 points, Julius Randle was one assist from a triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists while Mitchell Robinson added 16 points.

The Knicks lost the season opener to Memphis and are now 1-3 at home against them since Ja Morant’s NBA debut.

Up-next: The Knicks (9-11) will host the Detroit Pistons (5-17) on Tuesday night from 7:00 pm.