Knicks fail first test without KP in blowout loss to Raptors (Highlights)

The New York Knicks lose their fifth straight game to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night in their first test without Kristaps Porzingis.

• New York Knicks 88 (23-33)
• Toronto Raptors 113 (38-16)
• Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
• NBA, Final, Box Score

Luke Kornet looked like a legitimate NBA player in his professional debut on Thursday night. He filled the stat sheet with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 22 minutes. That’s about all the good you can say about the New York Knicks blowout loss to the Raptors.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s struggles continued. He took more shots (14) than he had points (9) and remained ice cold from behind the three-point arc. The 25-year-old has made just two of his last 26 threes over the last five games. Frank Ntilikina continued to go through some rookie woes. He was just 2-of-6 and had as many turnovers as he did points (5).

The Knicks missed Enes Kanter in the middle. Their starting center was out after getting stitches in his mouth stemming from the cut he received vs. Milwaukee. Toronto center Jonas Valanciunas took full advantage – posting a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds.

New York failed their first test in the post-Kristaps Porzingis ACL injury era. Granted, it was a tough one. Toronto is the two seed in the East and has dreams of making a conference finals run. But it won’t get any easier for the Knicks.

Five of their next six games are against playoff teams. They travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers on Sunday next. The teams have split the first two meetings this season. This is the third and final time they meet in 2017-18.

.@zteusa Final ?@Michael8easley: 21p | 7r@TreyBurke: 12p | 3a@bigshin32: 11p | 10r pic.twitter.com/0bTvCoJGhG

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

.@zteusa Update:@Michael8easley: 21p@T_HardJR: 9p@Kyle_OQuinn: 7r pic.twitter.com/w9ncSkyfjb

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

We’re back within 6 in Q3.

Watch on https://t.co/kwkwhs6lzy pic.twitter.com/f3dhpPratu

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

.@zteusa Update at the half:@Michael8easley: 13p@bigshin32: 6p@Kyle_OQuinn: 6r pic.twitter.com/LPasf2jeGq

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

We ? @bigshin32 pic.twitter.com/7Y7McnwrT5

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

.@zteusa Update:@T_HardJR: 4p | 3r@Michael8easley: 4p@Jarrettjack03: 3p pic.twitter.com/wHrA12dL70

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

KO ? pic.twitter.com/T7jDEJFAh1

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018

Tonight’s starters:

5️⃣5️⃣ @Jarrettjack03
5️⃣ @CourtneyLee5
3️⃣ @T_HardJR
8️⃣ @Michael8easley
9️⃣ @Kyle_OQuinn pic.twitter.com/vSIfGS6eov

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2018