The New York Knickerbockers’ first preseason game was a rough one, falling 120-97 to the Philadelphia 76ers, but the real gut punch came early when Ariel Hukporti went down. The former Knick, making his start, exited the game after facing up with Karl-Anthony Towns and was assisted to the locker room with what looked like all the hallmarks of an Achilles tear. If that’s the case, it is a devastating blow for a genuinely likable guy who was set to get significant playing time this season. You just hate to see that, especially in a preseason game.
Preseason Slop and Flashes of What Could Be
Let’s be real, preseason games are often sleepy scrimmages. You get some stars lollygagging and guys fighting for a roster spot playing their hearts out. It’s slop, for sure, but we watch it all, right? A Knicks game is a Knicks game, even summer league! Our World Champion Knickerbockers looked rusty right from the start of this one. They continued their penchant for the long ball, heaving more than half their shots from the outfield, converting just 33% from deep through the first 12 minutes, just like Philly. Despite that, our heroes took an early lead, but the Sixers quickly answered with a 14-3 run.
Amidst the rust, there was good news though. Our Finals MVP Jalen Brunson’s surgically repaired wrist had that familiar sweet snap! He drilled two three-pointers and looked solid, scoring eight points. OG Anunoby, “The Tipmeister” himself, also chipped in eight points early on. Karl-Anthony Towns attacked the paint and didn’t look sour at all about his contract situation. Andre Drummond, in his first unofficial game as a Knick, was exactly the same Drummond he’s always been. Later, Tyler Kolek, with some new longer locks, took over ball-handling duties. He seemed to have a mandate to score and maybe forced it a little bit. It was a total absence of defense on both sides, with teams swapping buckets like high-schoolers on layup lines.
Jaylen Brown Shines While the Stars Sit
The other side of the court had its own storylines. It was wild seeing former Celtic Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia blue, right? Totally boggled the brain for a second! He carried his unit, collecting 13 early points, especially since LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey were taking the night off (the chickens!). Even Landry Shamet, a welcome exception to the defensive void, drained a pair of triples. It just goes to show you that even in these half-hearted scrimmages, you can find some surprising flashes and some real worry.
What’s next for the team? You gotta watch closely. How deep is this injury for Hukporti? That’s the biggest question coming out of this. Will the champs shake off the rust and find their rhythm, or will the long ball continue to dominate their shot selection with such a low conversion rate? We’ll be tuning in, because every game, even preseason, tells a story.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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