The New York Knicks beat the NBA’s fastest team at their own game Monday night. Tom Thibodeau’s squad romped the Memphis Grizzlies, winning by their largest margin of the season, 146-106.
Jan. 27, 2025: Final
Memphis entered its first matchup of the season against New York on a six-game winning streak, but the Knicks didn’t seem to get the memo. The home team took command of the lead after one quarter of play—outscoring Memphis 34-31—and did not reliquinsh it the rest of the way.
If there were one word to describe this game, it would be this: fast.
The Grizzlies, who currently lead the league in pace of play (104.74), certainly played to their desired speed with a pace of 106. Their issue was that the Knicks, the NBA’s sixth-slowest team by pace, somehow seemed the most comfortable they’ve been all season, scoring at least 143 points for the second consecutive game.
Bridges Was Burning
Mikal Bridges led all scorers with 28 points on 12-19 shooting, tacking on five rebounds and six assists. He also shot two-of-six from beyond the arc and buried both free throws he attempted en route to being a game-high +43 plus/minus.
Bridges played a major part along with OG Anunoby (15 points, 6 steals) in keeping Ja Morant, Memphis’ superstar point guard, to just 10 points and two assists with four turnovers.
All-Stars For a Reason
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns continued to show why they’re both starting the All-Star game this season.
Brunson finished the game with 20 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3PT) and six assists to just one turnover, seeming unstirred by the foul trouble that hung over his head for the majority of the game.
Towns once again eased his way into a double-double, finishing the game as the second-highest scorer with 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-4 3PT) to go along with 11 rebounds (six offensive).
He put his KAT-like reflexes on display with this acrobatic scoop layup in the third quarter.
Feasting Off Forced Turnovers
The Knicks forced the Grizzlies into their most turnovers of the season with 26, simultaneously achieving their most steals of the season with 20. New York finished the game with 36 points scored off of Memphis turnovers, many of which resulted in thunderous highlights.
Precious Achiuwa (four steals) was the biggest beneficiary of Memphis’ blunders on offense, hammering in two of his most vicious dunks of the season.
One for each half of play.
Bench Gone Wild
New York’s reserves tallied their highest scoring mark of the season with 52 points, forcing head coach Tom Thibodeau to keep them in the spotlight for extended durations throughout the game.
Precious Achiuwa and Miles McBride were the two leading scorers off the bench with 14 points a piece. Cameron Payne was not too far behind with 11 points, but a bench-high +17 plus/minus.
While Achiuwa had two monstrous dunks himself, it was Deuce with arguably the jam of the night off a pass from Tyler Kolek (yes, you read the correctly). Camera angle and questionable filter courtesy of Ben Stiller.
Next Up
The New York Knicks (31-16) remain at Madison Square Garden for their next game against MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 29. Tipoff will be at 7:30 pm ET.
The Nuggets (fourth in the Western Conference) are 7-3 over their last 10 games but have lost their last two.
They have no major players on their injury report.