Knicks Come Up Short to Cruise in Regular Season Home Opener

BRIDGEPORT, CT – January 10, 2022 – The Westchester Knicks, the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks, were defeated by the Motor City Cruise, 107-98, Monday night at Webster Bank Arena, in the first regular season home game for the team.

Five players scored in double-figures for the Knicks (0-3), led by Dewan Hernandez’s (Returning Rights) 21 points which accompanied 10 rebounds notching his second consecutive double-double. In his return from a 10-Day stint with the Phoenix Suns, MJ Walker (affiliate) dropped 15 points. Jordan Allen (Available Player Pool) chipped in with 14 points off the bench, while the duo of Aamir Simms (affiliate) and Brandon Williams (tryout) scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Motor City (3-0) was led by Marcus Thornton’s 22 points in a reserve role, and a double-double by Cheick Diallo (18 PTS, 14 REBS). Jamorko Pickett scored 21 points as well.

Though the Cruise scored the game’s opening basket, Westchester caught fire early scoring 15 unanswered points, ultimately leading 29-18 after one. The Knicks maintained a comfortable lead for most of the second, but relentless, Motor City continued to fight and managed to end the half on a 10-0 run and 49-46 lead into the break.

In the third, the Cruise picked up where they left off, opening the second half on a 9-0 run, to take a 12-point lead at the 10:19 mark of the period. The Knicks made things interesting, but could not cut into the deficit, with the hosts ending the third trailing, 82-66.

By the midway mark of the fourth, Westchester filled its double-digit gap to single figures on an Allen free-throw, 94-85, with 6:14 to go. The game remained stagnant from that point on with both teams putting gup 13 additional points to wrap the contest.

The two teams will do it again at Webster Bank Arena tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 11 at 7:00 PM ET.