Postgame Recap: Knicks’ Hot Start Cooled by the Heat in Miami

The Knicks’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end Sunday night in Miami, falling 115–107 to the Heat. It wasn’t their cleanest performance, but for an early-season matchup on the road, there were still positives to take away.

Jalen Brunson once again led the way, pouring in 37 points and keeping the offense alive when momentum started to slip. Karl-Anthony Towns added 15 points and a dominant 18 rebounds, anchoring the interior and giving New York second-chance opportunities.

Despite those efforts, the Knicks struggled from the perimeter, shooting just 39.6% from the field and 29.7% from beyond the arc. The offense stagnated late in the third quarter, when Miami strung together a key run that New York couldn’t recover from.

Fatigue may have played a role after a tight travel turnaround, and the absence of Miles McBride shortened the rotation. Still, the Knicks battled until the final minutes, showing the kind of grit that’s quickly becoming a team trademark under Tom Thibodeau.

While the offense looked out of rhythm at times, there’s little reason for concern. Brunson’s leadership remains steady, Towns continues to mesh into the system, and the team generated plenty of clean looks that simply didn’t fall. As chemistry builds and shots start dropping, the Knicks should find their offensive rhythm again.

The Knicks will look to bounce back Tuesday night when they face the Milwaukee Bucks, a key early-season test against one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders.

It’s just one early loss — and perhaps a useful reminder of where the Knicks can tighten things up before returning home.