Forced to make their maiden voyage to Intuit Dome without captain Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks’ Western trek has been besieged by stormy skies.
Less than a full day after Brunson was last seen nursing an ankle injury that will keep him out for at least two weeks, the Knicks dropped a 105-95 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. James Harden had 26 points for the Clippers while Ivica Zubac had a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double.
Brunson’s past and present teammates rose to the occasion in defeat: Mikal Bridges had 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead an otherwise tepid offensive night for the Knicks while Josh Hart paired 14 tallies with a career-best 20 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns led Knicks scorers with 23 and also had a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Combined with losses against the Clippers’ California companions earlier this week, the Knicks (40-23) have lost three games in a row for the first time since Jan. 3-6.
Los Angeles (34-29) visits Madison Square Garden for a rematch of March 26. In the meantime, part three of the Knicks’ Western tour lands on Monday night as they head to California’s capital to face the Sacramento Kings (10:30 p.m. ET, MSG).