The Knicks’ three-point defense is trending in the wrong direction.
They gave up 22 made threes in a loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. Minnesota shot a blistering 55 percent from beyond the arc.
In their previous eight games, New York allowed opponents to shoot a combined 42.6 percent on threes. On the season, the club ranks 26th in opponent three-point field goal percentage. They’re 29th in opponent field goal percentage on corner threes.
“We’ve just gotta be better. That’s all I can say,” a seemingly frustrated Mikal Bridges said late Friday.
It’s easy to point the finger at head coach Tom Thibodeau. But the Knicks spent a lot of capital (in draft picks and cap space) to acquire two wing defenders they hoped would help them compete against the top teams in the NBA.
Lately, those wings – Bridges and OG Anunoby – haven’t given the Knicks enough. Cade Cunningham torched New York in a win at The Garden. Anthony Edwards dominated the Knicks on Friday.
He hit eight of his 13 attempts from behind the arc.
“Once a player gets confidence it’s hard to slow them down, especially at this level, so we got to establish our physicality and presence early,” Jalen Brunson said.
Thibodeau said New York’s scheme is solid. He pointed to the number of attempts the club allows; they have the seventh-lowest three-point attempt rate in the league.
“The best way to guard the line is to prevent the threes and that’s where we’re pretty good. We do have to challenge,” he said. “ We have to have the ability to get in and get out, and have an awareness if a guy gets hot.”
They haven’t had that awareness for much of the season. It’s clear that something is missing. To me, it starts with Anunoby and Bridges.
MITCH ON WAY
Before the game, Thibodeau said Mitchell Robinson has been doing well in his rehab from offseason foot surgery.
“He’s done a really good job. Obviously, he’s in the pool a lot…On a bike. The low-impact stuff,” Thibodeau said. “Diet is a big part of that as well. And he’s lifting. He’s doing a lot of things like that. Whatever he can do, he’s done, which is good. He’s making good progress.”
Robinson hasn’t been cleared to take contact yet. But there is a belief that he could be back in early-to-mid February. Thibodeau expects him to be cleared for practice by the end of the month.
If/when Robinson is back, he will probably come off the bench. He will also see some minutes alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Obviously (it’s) a possibility because we feel like with Karl’s comfortable doing both, playing both positions. So we feel like it will be an added weapon for us,” Thibodeau said.
Towns missed Friday’s game but there isn’t a concern that the thumb sprain will keep him out for significant time. He plans to play through a bone chip in his thumb.
