The Knicks, after a promising start to the season, have flopped in two straight games against seemingly beatable teams, the latest a 111-98 loss to the 2-6 Pacers, who were in control from wire to wire.
For New York, the greater concern may not be the two straight lackluster losses. For a Tom Thibodeau-coached group, the defense has been particularly underwhelming, and once again failed to contain in inferior team on Wednesday night.
"Just try to fix the intensity defensively," Thibodeau said. "Containment of the ball, challenging shots, pushing it up the floor. If you get a good look and miss it, don't let it take away from your energy and effort on the other end."
The Knicks didn't allow themselves a chance to build any energy, instead falling behind 11-0 immediately to start the game, and multiple comeback attempts fell short as Indiana was able to find big buckets against an uncharacteristically porous New York defense, which showed warts from the opening tip.
"We gave up 36 in the first quarter," Thibodeau said. "Our defense wasn't there."
While the Knicks labored from downtown, which has been their newfound weapon so far this season, the Pacers thrived, particularly Myles Turner, who hit a career-high seven triples. That helped raise New York opponents' 3-point percentage to 34.3 on the season, 17th in the league. The Knicks' 110.4 points per game allowed is currently 22nd in the league this season, far below what has come to be expected with Thibodeau at the helm.
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Knicks team gear
"We have to do three things to put ourselves in position to win," Thibodeau said. "That's defend, rebound, and keep your turnovers down…our defense wasn't there, and the rebounding wasn't there. We gotta fix that part."
The Knicks got some defensive power back on Wednesday night with the return of Nerlens Noel, who made his season debut after nursing a sore knee. But the team clearly misses the defense of Reggie Bullock, even with the defensive emergence of RJ Barrett. It doesn't help when shots aren't falling on the offensive end, leading to longer rebounds and easy transition buckets for the opponent, which the Pacers enjoyed on Wednesday.
The Knicks are allowing too many points and too many rebounds so far this season, and with Thibodeau's proven resume, it should be expected to improve. But that hasn't happened yet, and the defensive lapses are washing away what was a promising start to the season.
"We gotta pick ourselves up and have a determination about us," Thibodeau said. "I always say, you have to be mentally tough when you're facing adversity, and that's where we are right now."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
