Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone called for greater vocal leadership from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray following a lopsided 145-118 defeat to the New York Knicks on Monday.
Malone’s postgame comments highlighted his frustration with the team’s lack of effort and accountability during the game.
“Leadership would be great, toughness would be great, physicality would be great,” Malone said via ESPN. “Playing like you actually care would be great, and we didn’t do that tonight.”
Malone specifically pointed to the need for his stars, Jokic and Murray, to be more vocal on and off the court to set the tone for the team.
The Nuggets were overwhelmed by an explosive Knicks offense led by OG Anunoby, who posted a career-high 40 points. New York shot 60.9% from the field and tied a franchise record with 45 total assists. Jalen Brunson added 23 points and a career-best 17 assists, orchestrating the Knicks’ dominant performance.
The game got out of hand early, with New York jumping to a 12-point lead after the first quarter and extending it to 23 by halftime. The Knicks pushed their advantage to 30 points in the second half, maintaining control with a balanced attack.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was recently acquired by the Knicks, added 30 points and 15 rebounds. His efficiency, converting 12 of 15 field goal attempts, was instrumental in keeping Denver’s defense on its heels.
Denver struggled to contain the Knicks’ sharpshooting. Anunoby hit 16 of 23 shots, including 5 of 7 from three-point range, while Brunson and Anunoby combined to shoot 75% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Denver shot just 33.3% from long range, compounding their defensive woes.
Jokic contributed 22 points but recorded a season-low 7 rebounds, and Murray added 20 points in the loss. Despite Russell Westbrook’s 27 points off the bench, Denver’s overall effort fell short against New York’s well-rounded performance.
Malone didn’t shy away from criticizing his team’s performance. “We’re 16 games in, and we’re talking about effort, toughness, and physicality,” he remarked. “Regardless of who’s in or out, who do we want to be as a team?”
The loss marks Denver’s second consecutive defeat, dropping them to 9-7 on the season. The Knicks, now 10-7, continue to gain momentum, with standout contributions from both starters and the bench.
