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Knicks Win Opener over Cavs; Nets Stung by Hornets

The New York Knicks tipped off the Mike Brown era, much the same way they played during the Tom Thibodeau era, by storming back late to hold off an opponent. This time the opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brown's former team, as New York won 119-111 to open the 2025-26 season. 


After enjoying a 15-point lead at the break, Cleveland stormed all the way back, tying the game at 87 entering the fourth quarter. Thanks to a 14-0 Knicks run spurred by a OG Anunoby slam dunk that tied the proceedings at 89, and a Miles McBride 25-foot three pointer, the Knicks never looked back. 

McBride led what was a much maligned Knicks bench last postseason, with 15 points over 26 minutes of action on Wednesday night. Overall the Knicks bench finished with 35 points, a stark difference from last May when the Knicks couldn't find guys to hit buckets off the bench. 

Meanwhile the usual suspects continued to flex for New York. Anunoby and Carl Anthony-Towns both contributed a double-double, with Anunoby leading the way with 24 points and 14 points. Towns had 19 points and 11 rebounds. 


 

Jalen Brunson had a fairly quiet 38 minutes of action. He had 23 points, but most of them came at the free throw line where he was 12-of-13. Brunson was 5-of-18 from the floor, including 1-of-9 from downtown. 

Knicks will host the the Jayson Tatum-less Boston Celtics on Friday night. Of course this is the first meeting between the two rivals since that seven-game clash in the Eastern conference semifinals when Tatum tore his Achillies Tendon and was lost for all of this season. 

NETS START QUEST FOR WORST 

Meanwhile the Brooklyn Nets started what many expect will be an attempt to suck. Brooklyn fell to the Charlotte Hornets 136-117.  

The Nets who have very little going for them this season, featured the debut of rookie Egor Demin, who had 14-points off the bench for Brooklyn. 

Many believe the Nets, who missed out on the lottery opportunity last summer when Cooper Flag, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper were available, might be so bad this season they will be in line for the lottery again this year.  

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