Overview
- Philadelphia beat New York 130–119 on Saturday for the Knicks’ third straight loss as the Sixers shot 54% from the field and 47% from three.
- One night earlier, the Knicks fell 111–99 to Atlanta, a shorthanded outing that highlighted defensive frailties despite Ariel Hukporti’s 17 rebounds and four blocks in a spot start.
- Head coach Mike Brown said the problems begin with guarding the ball without fouling and with transition defense, while Jalen Brunson acknowledged the team let missed shots affect its overall gameplay.
- After a 112.3 defensive rating in November, New York slipped to 118.0 in December and has ranked 24th over its last seven games.
- Availability has fluctuated across the weekend, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson active vs. the 76ers after Friday absences, as Brown’s emphasis on rest, youth opportunities and experimentation has elevated Miles McBride and Hukporti into larger roles.