© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
When the Warriors play in New York, it’s a game you need to watch. No matter how bad the Knicks are – and they’re often terrible – the Warriors-Knicks matchup never ceases to provide entertainment.
Tonight was no different, as the Warriors were put into a 10-plus point deficit in the third quarter by a Knicks team that came into the game 1-4. Still, the Warriors are very good and the Knicks are, well, not. As such, the Warriors, and particularly Kevin Durant, put on a fourth-quarter clinic to lead the Warriors to a 128-100 win.
Here are five thoughts from tonight’s game:
Durant puts on a show in the Garden amidst Knicks talk
Kevin Durant might not even become a free agent this offseason. He has a one-year, $31.5 million player option he can accept this offseason, but chances are he won’t take that route. There have been reports that the one-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP might have his sights set on playing for the Knicks next season.
It’s been no surprise that Durant’s potential move to New York has been a dominant storyline in the media this year, and never more so than the past two days. When the Warriors arrived in New York, a massive banner with cartoons of Durant and Kristaps Porzingis was unfurled, encouraging Durant to come to New York. Durant didn’t exactly distance himself from the New York speculation, however, he did say that his mind wouldn’t be made up by a banner.
Still, Durant put on an absolute masterclass for the Garden crowd tonight. He scored 41 points, along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. 25 of those points came in the fourth quarter, and 17 of them came in the first six minutes. He led the Warriors to a comical fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Knicks 47-16. That’s 31 points. Here’s just some of what Durant did tonight:
Kevin Durant was UNSTOPPABLE in the fourth quarter, dropping 25 PTS! 🔥
He ends the night with 41 PTS as the @warriors get the road win! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/b9a1i2PrWa
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 27, 2018
Durant has it all in Golden State. So what could entice Durant to come to New York?
The potential to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis (and Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Mitchell Robinson and whoever the Knicks’ lottery pick is) and bring success back to New York in a way that hasn’t been accomplished since the 1990s. Tonight, the Knicks showed there’s a lot of work to be done, but for the first time in a long time, they have created a genuine foundation to build upon.
For those wondering, Durant received a solid applause from the Garden crowd:
Here’s how Madison Square Garden reacted to the Warriors during intros. Kevin Durant received cheers from the Knicks’ home crowd: pic.twitter.com/9UTWBdxFNY
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 26, 2018
Frank who? Ntilikina and young Knicks gave the Warriors trouble (for almost three quarters)
Frank Ntilikina: have you heard that name before? Can you pronounce it? If you answered no to one or both of these questions, you are in the majority. Ntilikina is the Knicks’ 20-year-old point guard who hails from France and has been known so far for his massive wingspan, height and defensive capabilities at the point guard position.
Tonight, Ntilikina, in his second year, made his first-ever start for the Knicks. While Curry still finished with 29 points, Ntilikina provided his own buzz on offense, tallying 17 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. put up 24 points for the Knicks and was the oldest starter in their lineup, which featured Hardaway Jr. (age 26), Ntilikina (age 20), Damyean Dotson (age 24), Noah Vonleh (age 23) and Mitchell Robinson (age 20).
At one point, the Warriors trailed the Knicks by double digits in the third quarter, and were down 84-81 at the end of the third quarter. But then the Warriors, and specifically Durant, ran away with the game.
Kanter, Durant jaw at each other
There are few players in the NBA who stew the pot like Enes Kanter. The Knicks’ center is a menace in the low post, but plays an outdated brand of basketball that often leaves him on the sidelines in key minutes. That doesn’t stop him from trying to the heads of opposing players, including former teammates.
Tonight, Kanter’s pestering forced Draymond Green to come between him and his old Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Durant.
KD and Kanter jawing at each other 😳 https://t.co/ZRmETThFri
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 27, 2018
No love for Boogie in New York
Yeah, it wasn’t a great night for DeMarcus Cousins. He failed to make it through the first quarter from the bench, as referee Scott Foster ejected him for arguing with him after a play.
Cousins has played a mentorship role from the bench this season, so while the ejection might seem more in-character for those who haven’t followed the Warriors, it’s outside of what he’s shown most of this season.
Turn, turn, turn… the ball over
Unlike the The Byrds’ classic hit “Turn, Turn, Turn,” the Warriors’ rendition was not nearly as catchy. While both teams were sloppy on the ball, you expect turnovers and bad passing much more from the bottom-feeding young Knicks (1-5) than the back-to-back champion Warriors (5-1).
The Warriors had 14 total turnovers to the Knicks’ 20, but only one in the fourth quarter. They recovered their ability to move the ball with ease when it mattered, and it showed up in the result. When you’re a team like the Warriors against a team like the Knicks, you really only need one good quarter.
