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Knicks and Nets’ startling form poses mounting challenge for Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors shake hands after the Nets defeated the Warriors 134-117 in an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 13, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors shake hands after the Nets defeated the Warriors 134-117 in an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 13, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will close out their six-game road-trip with a back-to-back against the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets over the next two days. The struggling NBA champions are 1-3 through the first four games, but will be buoyed by a much-improved performance on Sunday in a 126-110 win over the Toronto Raptors.

The Warriors have struggled to build major momentum so far this season, contributing to their disappointing 15-16 record through 31 games. The same can’t be said for their upcoming opponents who are each in season-best form entering the matchups.

The Golden State Warriors are prepared for the very best of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, with both teams combining for 13 straight wins.

The Knicks made an inconspicuous start to the season, opening 10-13 with one of those losses coming against the Warriors at Chase Center. Yet since then they’ve produced the league’s best current winning streak, tallying seven in a row to catapult themselves into sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson shoots over Jalen Brunson at Chase Center earlier this season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson shoots over Jalen Brunson at Chase Center earlier this season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

With a more reliable lead ball-handler in offseason addition Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ offense can prove explosive enough with he, R.J Barrett, Julius Randle and a new inclusion to the starting lineup in Quentin Grimes.

However, more notably, New York are getting back to the sort of defensive identity synonymous with head coach Tom Thibodeau, and what earned them a surprising fourth seed two seasons ago. The Knicks 101.4 defensive rating in December is first in the league, quite the turnaround from being ranked 24th during the month of November.

Golden State will then face something different against the Nets on Wednesday, with the presence of ex-Warrior Kevin Durant lifting Brooklyn to the second best offensive rating so far in December. After a tumultuous start to the season that included a circus around their second star Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn have rode a six-game winning streak that now has them 19-12 and fourth in the East.

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The differing styles of the Knicks and Nets, along with the teams’ startling form, poses a mounting challenge for the Warriors who are already disadvantaged thanks to the absences of Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins.

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