Jalen Brunson less Knicks grind way past depleted Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Knicks played with their food but at least they ate it. Playing against a G League version of the battered Grizzlies, the Knicks toyed around, underwhelmed and were reckless with the ball for much of the contest — especially in the first half — but left FedEx Forum with a 106 94 victory, if only because it was impossible to lose Saturday.

Already down Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke and Derrick Rose with long term injuries, Memphis’ top two scorers — Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — were ruled out with new ailments. The Grizzlies (14 25), playing on the second night of a back to back, started one recognizable player, Luke Kennard.

The others were Xavier Tillman, Jacob Gilyard, David Roddy and Vince Williams Jr. Yet they hung around and even led at the break, as the Knicks struggled to take care of the ball without an injured Jalen Brunson. Eventually, the Grizzlies stopped hitting their shots, and the Knicks buried enough to win the second half.

Julius Randle had 24 points to go with 11 rebounds but was visibly frustrated and committed six of the Knicks’ 22 turnovers. Isaiah Hartenstein (20 rebounds, 12 points), OG Anunoby (18 points) and Miles McBride (19 points) helped avoid a disaster on Beale Street. The Knicks (23 16) have feasted on the lower class of the NBA this season, now owning a 16 0 record against teams currently with a losing record.

Their dominance prompted Randle to explain their mentality against poor teams a couple was ago as, “We don’t play with your food.” But that didn’t apply in Memphis. It was the first look of the season for the Knicks without Brunson, who was ruled out with a calf bruise. He sustained the injury during Thursday’s loss to the Mavericks, a frustrating game for the point guard that ended with him limping out of American Airlines Center.

He was on the bench in street clothes, but given that he was a game time decision Saturday, it’s a good bet Brunson returns Monday afternoon at the Garden. McBride started in Brunson’s spot and shot well, going 7 of 10 from the floor. He was a positive, but the offense was disjointed and disorganized without Brunson, largely because Randle was out of control.

The Knicks committed 14 turnovers in the first half, with Randle committing four of them. Memphis, which had just five turnovers before the break, leading by four before the “Simon Says” halftime show. Brunson, among the league leaders in minutes heading into Saturday, was missing as an organizer and facilitator.

It also exposed an issue with a lack of creators without RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks aren’t deep with that skill. Before the game, Thibodeau gave his spiel about not overlooking an undermanned opponent. It’s often easy to believe from the Knicks, but not Thursday — when they lost to the Mavericks without Luka Doncic — and not for a lot of Saturday.

“I think you look at it every night and you see teams that are shorthanded that win,” Thibodeau said. “I always say it to our team: You can’t make it to the NBA without being a great player, so everyone on the roster, 1 through 15, is great. [If] you don’t come with the right approach, anyone can beat you on a given night.

The way they’re shooting volume 3s, that’s a big thing, reaction to the ball, the rebounding, and the young guys they have are very talented. We have to understand that.”.