Wassup in Westchester: Former Sun John Jenkins scores 24 in W-Knicks debut

The Westchester Knicks (13-18) lost their fourth game in a row Tuesday night, falling to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 111-101. The Miami Heat affiliate, whom the W-Knicks fortunately only have to play once this year, looked like a powerhouse. Sioux Falls was that team that eliminated the W-Knicks from the playoffs last year en route to their first D-League Championship. With a crowd of 2,275 in attendance in South Dakota and another 115 or so watching on Facebook Live, fans witnessed a defensive clinic.

Perhaps the W-Knicks thought they were going to get off easy with two of Sioux Falls elite getting the call up to the NBA this week — Okaro White signed a two year deal with the Heat and Briante Weber signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors. Instead, the W-Knicks were held to 42% shooting from the field as other players stepped up.

After a strong first quarter the W-Knicks lost their early momentum midway through the second and were playing catch up the rest of the way. The Sioux Falls guards were able to constantly penetrate to the basket blowing the W-Knicks defense away in route to 44 points in the paint (sound familiar?) The third quarter was where Sioux Falls really turned up the energy and defense to outscore the W-Knicks 29-19 and drop them to a season low five games under .500.

John Jenkins made his debut for the W-Knicks, leading he team with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Jenkins, who was recently let go by the Phoenix Suns, will provide much needed scoring and outside shooting for the W-Knicks as they move further into the season. The waiver signing came at a perfect time for the W-Knicks, who lost guard Doron Lamb to a leg injury last Saturday against the Windy City Bulls. Damien Inglis showed why he could be a future call-up to the NBA with another double-double, ending the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. Guards Courtney Fells and Von Wafer each chipped in with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assets but that was not enough to lead the W-Knicks to victory.

The W-Knicks were badly beaten on the boards 51-40 during the game even with 10 boards apiece from forwards Inglis and Jaylen Bond.

Notes:

The W-Knicks were snubbed from the D-League All-Star game this year. It's all politics, man... Next up for the W-Knicks is a primetime home game against the Maine Red Claws, who sit on top of the Atlantic Division. To add even more pressure to the game it will be broadcasted live on ESPN News Friday night.