The New York Knicks sparked a love for the NBA again in many fans last season by winning the championship title. It's been a while since a whole city supported a team the way in which New York did for the Knicks. But, that fairytale seems to not be translating well into the 2026-27 season.
The Knicks lost their first three games of the season — 106-100 to the Philadelphia 76ers, 107-103 to the Boston Celtics and 111-102 to the Orlando Magic. The Knicks are now the first defending champions since the Dallas Mavericks in 2011-12 to start the season off 0-3, per ESPN Insights. Definitely not the same vibe the "Knicks in Five!" movement brought just a couple months ago in New York City.
The Knicks need to make sure they win their next game on Tuesday versus the Detroit Pistons, or they'll be making an NBA record they do not want to have. No defending champion has ever lost the first four games of the ensuing season, so the Knicks would be the first if they lose on Tuesday night. So, what needs to change?
Star Jalen Brunson admitted after Sunday night's loss to the Magic that the team needs to close out games better, starting with him. "Poor decision making by me late in the game," Brunson said. "Ball's not falling in for us, I think we've gotten some good looks throughout the game but the little things we can control that helps contribute to wins." At least all of the matchups were close in the end and weren't blowouts.
Honestly, that would've been more embarrassing for the reigning champions. Let's see if the Knicks can turn things around this week. They'll need to, or the NBA championship hangover is real in New York.
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