New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Frank Ntilikina got the start at point guard but the results were the same. The Brooklyn Nets knocked off the New York Knicks 109-99.

Geoffrey Campbell

Prior the game, news broke that New York Knicks guard Emmanuel Mudiay would miss two to four weeks with a shoulder injury. For the Brooklyn Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie might miss four to six weeks with torn ligaments in his thumb, which may require surgery.

Yet, injury breeds opportunity as Frank Ntilikina received his first start since early in the season. And early on, the Frenchmen seemed ready to capitalize as he had some nice defensive plays and assists.

On the offensive side of the ball, Noah Vonleh erupted for 14 points in the first quarter as the Knicks took the early lead.

Contributions from Trey Burke and Mitchell Robinson also helped lead the charge as the Knicks looked to pull away from the Nets on their home court.

But, credit the Nets, who, at times, employed a zone defense and rode some hot shooting from Theo Pinson and Shabazz Napier as they came back to tie the game.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Knicks were down by five. Yet the discrepancy on boards was much larger, as the Knicks were once being outrebounded 49-25.

Subsequently, the floodgates opened and the Nets started to widen their lead.

The Knicks ended up losing 109-99. The Nets had five players in double-figures, Pinson and Ed Davis were the top scorers. For the Knicks, Burke poured in 25 points and Vonleh added 22.

Kevin Knox struggled to make his imprint in the game and Tim Hardaway Jr. was two for 14 from the field.

The Knicks play again Sunday night as they face the Miami Heat. Depending on what you’re rooting for, the Knicks play their next three games against teams with an under .500 record.

There might be a win on the horizon but ping pong balls over everything, so we’ll see.

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