The Knicks dropped their second consecutive game on Sunday night, falling to the Boston Celtics 94-81 in NBA Summer League action. Leading New York was Kevin McCulla Jr., who scored 30 points along with two steals, shooting efficiently 10-of-15 from the field.
Ariel Fucorti contributed nine points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked three shots with solid effort. Pacom Dadiet added 7 points and 6 rebounds but struggled with his shooting, going 3-of-11. From the bench, Mohamed Diawara and Dink Putty chipped in 5 points and three combined steals, respectively.
Tyler Collection had a rough outing, shooting just 1-of-13 and committing four turnovers. The Knicks started slow and never managed to recover momentum throughout the game.
Boston’s big man Charles Bassey dominated the paint, posting 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks on 8-of-12 shooting. Jalen Bridges, Baylor Barnesman, Jordan Walsh, and Kendall Brown also contributed significantly with 15, 13, 13, and 11 points respectively.
New York’s offensive woes from their first game continued into the opening minutes, as they fell behind 15-4 and struggled with seven turnovers early on. Boston capitalized on this, scoring seven points, dishing three assists, and recording three steals in the first quarter to lead 27-18.
Dadiet showed flashes of promise driving hard to his left in the second quarter, displaying pro-level moves early in the summer league. However, the Knicks only managed to hit three of their 20 shot attempts in this period.
Boston’s depth proved valuable as they forced seven more turnovers, but New York avoided a complete collapse. At halftime, the Celtics held a 42-30 lead, thanks to balanced scoring.
McCulla Jr. continued his aggressive scoring into the third quarter, but the Knicks’ overall guard play lagged behind, with Kolek struggling in pick-and-roll situations. Boston meanwhile started to get to the free-throw line frequently, led by Walsh’s efforts. New York cut the deficit to 71-53 after three quarters, but only scored six points in the frame.
In the final quarter, the Knicks made a few highlight plays, including a transition three-and-dunk by McCulla Jr., but it was not enough to close the gap. Boston maintained control and never let New York get within single digits.
A memorable moment came late when 29-year-old Judababa scored a bucket, sparking cheers from Knicks fans.
Fan Take: This Summer League result is important as it showcases emerging talent like Kevin McCulla Jr. and highlights the challenges teams face in building chemistry. For basketball fans, these matchups provide a glimpse into the future stars and evolving strategies in the sport.
