Knicks' 2023-24 First Half Half Scores a B+
The New York Knicks are halfway through their regular season, and they have looked solid after a slow start, especially since their big trade for OG Anunoby on Dec. 30.
New York (23-17) and the rest of its NBA brethren will hit the midway mark of their respective seasons this week, if they haven't done so already. With that in mind, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report graded each NBA team's year so far, bestowing the Knicks a B+. That's a slight improvement from their status at the end of the first quarter, which earned a B after a rollercoaster autumn.
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"The Anunoby trade may have cost the New York Knicks a hint of depth, but RJ Barrett had an overwhelmingly negative impact on the team's point differential during his career there," Bailey writes. "Anunoby is enough of an upgrade there to make up for the loss of Immanuel Quickley. Donte DiVincenzo's play throughout the season helps there too."
"In short, New York is now a better team. More specifically, it's better equipped to hang with Eastern Conference contenders like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks."
To that point, New York is 6-2 since the Anunoby deal, which sent Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors. Included in that are wins over elite units from Minnesota and Philadelphia though the Knicks have dropped two of their last three, including Monday's 98-94 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Spectacular play from the Knicks' primary stars, which has meshed well with the newcomer Anunoby, has been one of the biggest reasons why they've played so well as of late. Julius Randle has figured it out after a rough start to his season (averaging 27.8 points and 8.4 rebounds since Dec. 1) and Jalen Brunson has been consistent all year to the tune of career-bests in several major categories (including 25.6 points and 6.4 assists).
The Knicks will officially hit game No. 41, the midway mark, and look to improve their grade on Wednesday night when a lengthy homestand continues against the Houston Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
