This is one of those games you just can’t call.
Stylistically, the Orlando Magic have been a thorn in the Knicks’ side — a bruising, physical team built to disrupt rhythm and drag opponents into the mud. But both teams are battered, both are missing real weapons, and while Orlando took the first two meetings of the season, the Knicks enter Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal having won eight of their last nine, including last Sunday’s win over the Magic at Madison Square Garden.
And that’s what makes the semifinal in Las Vegas compelling: two teams that pushed their chips to the center of the table, two franchises trying to raise a championship banner now fighting for a different one to hang in the rafters.
“I don’t feel it’s on the rivalry level yet,” head coach Mike Brown said after Thursday’s practice. “It can be in due time, but I don’t think it’s there yet.”
Maybe not a rivalry. But it feels like something close.
The Magic handed the Knicks their first home loss on Nov. 12, a 124–107 reality check at MSG. Both sides were healthy, but Josh Hart was still relegated to a reduced bench role (The Knicks are 8-1 since inserting him into the starting lineup).
The Magic struck again in Orlando, 133–121, with the Knicks down OG Anunoby and losing Landry Shamet three minutes into the game. Orlando didn’t have Paolo Banchero that night, either.
Then came Sunday: the Knicks punched back, and Orlando lost Franz Wagner to a knee injury that will sideline both Wagner brothers for Saturday’s semifinal.
The Knicks are still without Shamet (shoulder), and Miles McBride is out with ankle sprain.
Both teams are missing vital pieces for the elimination game in Vegas.
“It’s a little tough just because I don’t think either team has been completely healthy when we’ve played each other,” Brown said Thursday. “It’s good to get the win, and you want to get the win, but at the end of the day, it could be when completely healthy. So you just try to win the game.”
BROWN CREDITS SHOOTING COACH FOR HART’S 3PT BOOM
One of the reasons the Knicks hired Brown was his willingness to collaborate across the organization — and nowhere is that clearer than Hart’s three-point surge.
After practice in Tarrytown on Thursday, Brown recalled his early conversations upon taking the job. When he reached Hart, the veteran had one immediate question:
“Josh was in Miami at the time with the family,” Brown said. “One of his first things was are you hiring a shooting coach? I said I was looking into it, but it was tricky because I’m not well-versed on hiring a shooting coach. It can be tricky to fill, and it can be tricky with the staff.”
Hart entered the season with a splint on the ring finger of his shooting hand, coming off two down years from three. Instead of dipping further, he’s authored the best long-range start of his career: 39.8% on four attempts per game. If he holds that number, it would be his best full-season mark as a pro.
Brown credits Hart’s work — but also the shooting coach the Knicks ultimately hired: Peter Patton, the former Mavericks development assistant known for his work with Jalen Brunson.
“It’s Peter, and to Josh’s credit, he embraced Peter,” Brown said. “Josh works his ass off when it comes to that kind of stuff. It’s no surprise to me that he’s doing it because how hard he works at it.”
Hart has hit three or more threes in four of his last eight games, including three outings with four makes. And he’s punishing teams that stash their centers on him.
“Having the luxury of moving him around helps,” Brown explained. “He may start in the right corner, but he may end up on the left wing… Josh is relocating, and when the ball gets swung, no one has any clue where Josh is. Or the center doesn’t. He’s getting some great looks because of the spacing and the movement.”
After Tuesday’s win over Toronto, Brown joked he was still waiting for teams to take their centers off Hart. On Thursday, he retracted — sort of.
“I hope they don’t,” he said with a smile.
BRUNSON UNSURPRISED
Brunson said he’s not surprised by Hart’s hot shooting streak.
“Not really,” Brunson said. “In college I think Josh was ultra, ultra aggressive… I’ve seen him be able to knock shots down on a consistent basis. So it’s nothing new. Nothing new for him, nothing new for us.
“When a player’s hot, no matter who it is, you’ve gotta take advantage of it… get people in rotation and have him knock them down.”
