Just a few minutes into the game, everything that we never ever want to see happen, happened. Kristaps Porzingis, our beloved unicorn, had his ankle stepped on by Miami’s Justise Winslow. He had to be helped off the court. It was the type of injury that makes the rest of the game seem completely secondary. I won’t show the video, it’s too depressing.
(Un)fittingly, Frank Ntilikina sat this game out with an ankle injury of his own.
The game does seem entirely secondary at this point, but let’s take a bit of a look of how it went because it looked really good!
Firstly, Clyde looked AMAZING tonight. I quite literally have no words.
nawhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/mTE2I2PRYW
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
After the injury stuff went down, the Knicks truly looked like they recovered well and played pretty well for the rest of the half. Here’s one reason why the Knicks missed Enes Kanter: He was attracting so much attention that it started to open up shots for people.
After KP leaves with an ankle injury, Lee gets the Knicks going with a 3.
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/DCYYen37EU
But also for the offensive prowess:
Que importante se ha vuelto Enes Kanter para este equipo. #Knicks pic.twitter.com/0kaYFzrZ4z
— Soy Knickerbocker (@KnickerbockerSB) November 30, 2017
While Miami couldn’t buy a bucket for long stretches of the game, the Knicks got solid contributions from players like Ramon Sessions:
Noted Point GAWD Courtney Lee with the dish, Session gets a TOUGH layup to go
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/m6oOTLuPdq
Michael Beasley:
Supercoolbeas is at it again!
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/sPcuYF2Eyg
Douglas McBuckets:
McBuckets goes baseline for the GORGEOUS reverse!
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/r81KyTJVeX
Hakeem Olajuwon wait what:
Hakeem Olajuwon has NOTHING on @Enes_Kanter WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING MENTIONS OR REPLIES thank you
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 30, 2017
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/3uRFxXRJHc
The very good first half ended with this by Tim Hardaway Jr.:
TIM HARDAWAY JR FINISHES THE BEAUTIFUL PLAY TO BEAT THE HALFTIME BUZZER!#KNICKS ARE ROLLIN'!
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) November 30, 2017
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/mbEctjBYJY
There were lots of other important things that happened in this game, but I’m going to go with this one:
McDermott lets Go #KNICKS pic.twitter.com/6j62a4gJvZ
— PapaShooter™ (@hennessyfirst) November 30, 2017
As it turns out, KP is going to be fine.
One update: Kristaps Porzingis was riding the stationary bike at halftime so that, potentially, gives you an idea of the severity of his ankle sprain.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 30, 2017
A more thorough breakdown of tonight’s beatdown to come. Gonna eat some falafel first.