Knicks Let Lead Slip, Fall to Clippers 126-113 at The Garden

The New York Knicks were unable to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers on March 26, 2025, suffering a 126-113 defeat at Madison Square Garden. This loss ended the Knicks' momentum and delayed their chances of clinching a playoff berth.

Strong Start, Sudden Collapse

The Knicks started strong, building a 14-point lead thanks to effective ball movement and aggressive shooting. They entered halftime with a narrow one-point advantage. However, the game turned dramatically in the third quarter when the Clippers scored 40 points, swinging the momentum in their favor.

From that point on, New York struggled to recover. The Clippers' veteran stars took control, exposing the Knicks' depth issues, particularly at the point guard position.

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Player Highlights

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with an impressive 34 points and 13 rebounds, maintaining his elite level of play. Cameron Payne provided a much-needed spark in the first half, scoring 15 points before leaving with a sprained ankle, further complicating an already thin point guard rotation. Rookie Tyler Kolek was thrust into extended action and, while he dished out seven assists in 19 minutes, he did not score.

For the Clippers, James Harden contributed 29 points, along with six rebounds and six assists. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a well-rounded performance.

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The Clippers' hot shooting from beyond the arc proved to be decisive, as they overwhelmed the Knicks with a barrage of three-pointers in the second half.

Injury Concerns Pile Up

The Knicks were already missing Jalen Brunson (ankle) and Deuce McBride (groin), and now face uncertainty with Cameron Payne, who exited in the first half. With the playoffs approaching, the team's depth will be further tested if their starting guards remain sidelined.

Next Up

Now at 45-27, the Knicks must shift their focus to their upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks. With playoff seeding still on the line and health concerns growing, New York needs to regroup quickly.

Stay tuned for more Knicks game recaps and playoff push analysis right here on the blog.