HOUSTON — It has reached that point in the Knicks season, better late than never.
After another ugly 111-94 defeat Tuesday night to the Rockets, the next game Wednesday night in Memphis, according to Josh Hart, is a “must-win.”
The veteran forward has seen enough and sounded the alarm.
Kevin Durant, who scored a game-high 27 points, shoots over Josh Hart during the Knicks’ 111-94 loss to the Rockets on March 31, 2026 in Houston. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
“We’re obviously struggling right now to win games. Struggling to start games off. Struggling to focus on the attention to detail. Struggling to get outside of ourselves and focus on what the betterment of the team is,” Hart said. “So [Wednesday] we have to play with a sense of desperation. Sense of being willing to sacrifice. To win.”
Of course, it should be easier to beat the injury-ravaged and tanking Grizzlies. But nothing should be taken for granted these days for the Knicks, not with the way they’ve been playing lately.
They arrived in Houston on Tuesday with something to prove. Then they proved nothing. Just more of the same. Worse, actually.
Coach Mike Brown’s squad has now gone 25 days without beating a team with a winning record, continuing that streak with the loss to the Rockets.
They again looked flustered offensively and a step slow defensively. They’re certainly not carrying the look of a title contender.
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And now they are looking at the Grizzlies game as an important building block.
“We’re not going in the right direction,” Hart said. “We’re not trending upwards. So we got to figure it out. Three tough [losses in a row]. Got another one tomorrow. That’s a must-win for us. And build from there.”
Jalen Brunson was woeful while flustered by Houston’s swarming defense, managing just 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting with three turnovers. Karl-Anthony Towns was better but not by much, shooting 7-for-17 for 22 points.
Jalen Brunson, who was held to 12 points, makes a pass as Amen Thompson defends. Getty Images
Overall, the Knicks shot just 10-for-34 from 3-point range — bricking several wide-open looks, most commonly from Hart and Miles McBride.
Meanwhile, the Rockets (46-29) carved up New York’s defense with precision, getting 27 points from old man Kevin Durant while shooting 54 percent overall and 43 percent from deep.
“They did whatever they wanted,” Brunson said.
The Knicks (48-28) were never in the fight. They lost every statistical battle — points, rebounds, turnovers, assists. They trailed for the final 47 minutes and by 20 points heading into the fourth quarter. They have dropped three straight overall and five consecutive against winning teams.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 22 points, drives on Alperen Sengun. » …