Stephen A. Smith and the rest of Knicks nation were flying high last week. The team won its first playoff series since 2013 over the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Knicks second-round matchup with the Heat didn’t start well. On Sunday, the Knicks proved to be no match for the Miami Heat. Miami lit up Madison Square Garden from deep. As well as, Jimmy Butler having a typical Butler playoff performance. According to Smith, the Knicks could be in massive trouble.
The legendary media personality didn’t hold back on his Knicks Monday. Smith was appalled by the defensive effort of his Knicks. However, Smith did give credit to the shooting of the Heat. It would have been hard for any team to beat a team that was shooting that well. However, the Knicks are in desperate need of Julius Randle to return. Randle was injured in the first half of the series-clinching game over Cleveland. Now the team is just trying to hold it together until his return.
Stephen A. Smith Losing Faith In Knicks
.@stephenasmith says his Knicks are in trouble
pic.twitter.com/G5BNETjFJN
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 1, 2023
The Heat were able to feast from every area of the floor on Sunday. The missing Randle could have impacted the game by being another low post presence for the Knicks. However, it felt like the Knicks had no answer for the spectacular shooting performance of the Heat. Randle’s availability for Game 2 has yet to be determined. But if the former Kentucky Wildcats star can’t go, the Knicks will need to dig deep. Losing both games in the Garden will be hard for the Knicks to come back from.
Smith and the diehard New York fanbase know the challenge ahead. The team still has players that can lead them to victory without Randle. First-year guard Jalen Brunson has been a welcomed sight to a team desperate for good point guard play. One has to believe that Brunson is capable of carrying the load while the team waits on Randle to return. Is Stephen A. Smith’s Knicks in serious jeopardy of being sent home? Can New York overcome Randle’s absence? Let us know your opinions on the Knicks in our comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.