Depleted Knicks run out of gas in loss to Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn did not walk through the Gainbridge Fieldhouse doors.
Those were the three players the Knicks acquired Saturday in the RJ Barrett-Immanuel Quickley trade to the Toronto Raptors, which left New York shorthanded to the umpteenth degree against the Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks were already short Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) and Quentin Grimes (non-COVID related illness) on Saturday, and Jericho Sims was cleared to return to action after an ankle injury of his own, but he did not play against the Pacers.
The Knicks were also on fatigued legs in the second half of a back-to-back following a physical loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday.
They put forth a valiant effort but were no match for the Pacers, who are on pace to set a new NBA scoring record this season. Indiana defeated New York, 140-126.
The Knicks (17-14) are now riding a three-game losing streak and have lost four of their last five.
That, of course, projects to change. Anunoby addresses the team’s desperate need for consistent 3-point shooting and defense at the small forward spot, and with Robinson out presumably the remainder of the year, Achiuwa adds depth both at the four and the five. Flynn will also help fill-in back court minutes with Quickley’s production headed up north.
The Knicks could have used any number of those players against an overwhelming Indiana offense on Saturday.
Donte DiVincenzo scored a career-high 38 points on 7-of-11 shooting from downtown, and Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle scored 28 apiece, but Tyrese Haliburton (22 points, 23 assists) logged yet another 20-point, 20-assist game, and the Pacers shot 23 of 42 from downtown.
The Knicks got 17 points off the bench: 10 from Evan Fournier, five from Deuce McBride and two in 14 minutes from Taj Gibson.
Pacers sixth man Benedict Mathurin outscored New York’s bench alone with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
The Knicks now travel back to New York where they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anunoby, Achiuwa and Flynn are expected to play on Monday.
