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The Knicks’ previously strong offense failed against the Mavericks


The Knicks’ previously strong offense failed against the Mavericks

DALLAS — Seven days and four games into their road trip, the Knicks are bearing symptoms of multiple personality disorder.

That was never clearer than in Wednesday’s 129-114 pre-Thanksgiving victory at the Mavericks’ table, a Knicks loss that caused their vaunted offense to falter despite the absence of the injured Luka Doncic at American Airlines Center.

Two nights after the Knicks (10-8) set the NBA’s season-high 145 points with a win over Denver, they shot (protect your eyes, kids) 26 percent in the decisive first half.

Kyrie Irving, who scored 23 points, shoots over Mikal Bridges during the Knicks’ 129-114 loss to the Mavericks on Nov. 27, 2024. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The trouble was all over the box score, but best explained by OG Anunoby, who followed his career-high 40 points on Monday with by far his worst game as a Knick.

Anunoby, the team’s first-month MVP, shot 3 of 15 with eight points.

He and Josh Hart, the two starting forwards, combined for two points on 0 of 13 from the field in the first half.

The Mavericks employed a rotating defense, which has been a bugbear for Tom Thibodeau this season, and the Knicks had no answer.

The only reason their point total and overall shooting percentage (46.5 percent) looked respectable is because they put up points in a short amount of time.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were the only weapons to combine for 62 points. Brunson had 37. Mikal Bridges had a quiet 20 points on 19 shots.

Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-high 37 points, talks to Tom Thibodeau during the Knicks’ loss. NBAE via Getty Images

The ball movement stopped.

The Knicks managed just 20 assists, even with the extra assists, after tying the franchise record with 45 through two nights.

From the Suns’ loss a week earlier, to a dud against the Jazz, to a brilliant performance against the Nuggets, to a disaster against the Mavericks.

The first quarter set the tone.

Karl-Anthony Towns (left) and Dwight Powell fight for a rebound during the Knicks’ loss. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The high-octane offense, which entered Wednesday ranked second in the NBA in efficiency, managed just 15 points in that opening period with a series of terrible shots.

The Knicks missed 17 of their 21 attempts, including 0 of 8 from long range. They had two assists in the first quarter and trailed by 13.

Thibodeau’s troops never recovered.

The deficit was 22 at halftime and 19 after the third quarter. With about 90 minutes to play, Mavs coach Jason Kidd declared Brunson and Towns the “No. 1 pick-and-roll combination in the NBA.”

Then Dallas (11-8) shut out the rest of the squad. The Knicks bench was non-existent, with a total of 12 points between Cam Payne, Jericho Sims and Miles McBride.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, got 23 points from Kyrie Irving and shot 56.5 percent.

Tom Brady watches the action during the Knicks’ loss to the Mavericks. NBAE via Getty Images

Quentin Grimes, the former Knick, was a two-way force and helped guard Brunson.

Doncic missed his fifth game of six with a wrist strain, but the Mavs coped well without him and led 4-1.

A lot of this revolves around Irving, who owned the Knicks. He has won 19 of his last 21 duels against the franchise, including ten in a row. Irving hasn’t lost to the Knicks since his time with the Celtics in 2018.

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