DENVER — The Knicks face the defending champs Thursday using a four-game successful streak general and, much more spectacular, three straight wins towards the Nuggets.
Earlier than final season, the Knicks owned a 13-game shedding streak in Denver, a stretch that went again to 2006.
They lastly received at Ball Enviornment final season, due to a 34-point effort from Julius Randle.
The victory would possibly’ve saved Tom Thibodeau’s job since he began the street journey on the new seat.
However as soon as once more the Nuggets are dominant within the Mile Excessive Metropolis, proudly owning the Western Convention’s finest dwelling report whereas using the benefit of the excessive altitude.
Jalen Brunson, who spent 4 seasons within the Western Convention, stated the skinny air is jarring for a couple of minutes into the sport.
“From my expertise, often [it’s rough before] that first timeout,” Brunson stated. “After which going into that first timeout, it’s a little bit powerful, however then you definitely’re good from there.”
The Knicks will profit from two off days, a apply and doubtless a Thursday morning shootaround to get acclimated to the altitude.
“Undoubtedly helps,” Brunson stated. “Undoubtedly excited to play and get this present on the street.”
![Tom Thibodeau's Knicks have a chance to go 4-0 this road trip, if they can beat the Nuggets on Thursday.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Tom-Thibodeau-1.jpg?w=1024)
However he rejected the concept of sporting altitude masks throughout apply.
“I’ve by no means even used them earlier than, and I’ve really by no means seen somebody use it, both,” he stated.
The Knicks pummeled the Nuggets a lot nearer to sea degree at MSG in January by 38 factors, one in all their finest performances of the season. On the time, the Nuggets have been ending up a five-game street journey and blamed fatigue.
Wednesday, the Knicks shall be wrapping up a four-game journey whereas attempting to go undefeated on it. Brunson is averaging 40.3 factors on the journey.
“Nothing might be achieved with out my teammates, them and the teaching workers believing in me,” Brunson stated. “We’re all simply clicking proper now.”
OG Anunoby didn’t attend apply Wednesday and was dominated out of the Nuggets matchup, based on the damage report.
Anunoby’s surgically repaired elbow “flared up” after the primary two video games of the street journey, and he flew again to New York for an MRI examination.
The take a look at confirmed irritation however no new damage, based on the Knicks.
Counting Thursday, he may have missed 20 of 23 video games.
Mitchell Robinson returned to apply however was additionally dominated out of Thursday’s contest, with Thibodeau stating Wednesday that the middle should take contact “for some time” then be cleared by docs earlier than enjoying in video games.
For context, Anunoby returned to full apply following elbow surgical procedure March 7 and missed two extra video games earlier than returning March 12.