Knicks & Nets Both Get Dropped in Season Openers
It was a familiar feeling for Knicks and Nets fans Wednesday night as both teams dropped their respective season openers at home to tip-off the 2023-24 NBA season. KNICKS FALL…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics tries to get past Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
It was a familiar feeling for Knicks and Nets fans Wednesday night as both teams dropped their respective season openers at home to tip-off the 2023-24 NBA season.
KNICKS FALL TO CELTICS 108 - 104
The Knicks struggled defensively to contain the Celtics, falling behind by 12 points after the first quarter. Boston's Jayson Tatum went off, scoring 34 points and adding 11 rebounds in his first double-double of the season. Meanwhile former Knick Kristaps Porzingis tormented his old team with 30 points, including nailing five shots from down town.
In fact three of Porzingis' five made three-pointers came in the opening stanza where he hit from distances of 28 and 29 feet.
Throughout the night Porzingis was razzed by the Knicks crowd who hurled boos and expletive's his way. The seven-foot-two veteran, who signed as a free agent with Boston this summer, shook it off.
On the flip side, R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley each tallied 24 points for the Knicks in defeat. Julius Randel had a quiet day, despite notching a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards.
Nets Fall to Cavs 114-113
Remember the rumors that the Knicks were once interested in Donovan Mitchell? Well Mitchell was in the Big Apple on Wednesday, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
Mitchell scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, including nailing the game winning shot with 12.1 seconds to go.
“The thing about our team is that we're really resilient,” Mitchell said. “ For me, when it's time, just kind of picking my spots and kind of getting to where I wanted to.”
Six different Cavs were in double-figures on Wednesday. In addition to Mitchell, Max Strus notched 27 points and 12 boards for Clevleand. Isaac Okoro had 18 points. Darius Garland added 15 points to his opening night tally.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas powered the Nets off the bench with 36 points to lead all scorers.
The Nets will be in Dallas on Friday night; the Knicks visit the Hawks in Atlanta.
