This Knicks season is still about the future, so there is nothing more crushing to Knicks brass than losing three times in the final seconds to the Bulls since Dec. 9.
When the teams first met in Chicago in early December, the Bulls owned the league’s worst record at 4-20. If the season ended there, the Knicks would have possessed the 31st pick in the draft — a virtual extra first-round pick (after obtaining the Bulls’ second-rounder in the Carmelo Anthony package).
The Bulls’ last-second victory on Dec. 9 — won by Kris Dunn’s two free throws with 2.9 seconds left — awakened Chicago. After nipping the Knicks at the Garden in double overtime Wednesday, 122-119, the Bulls now boast a 15-27 record, seventh worst in the league and within a game of catching two other clubs.
The Knicks would now select 37th. It’s more likely they’ll pick around 40 on draft night, with the emergences of Dunn, Finnish rookie 7-footer Lauri Markkanen and the Bulls debut of high-scoring guard Zach LaVine expected on Saturday.
That’s a significant difference in that asset. Some Bulls fans are disappointed the Bulls’ tank job has crumbled.
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ failure in crunch time against Chicago — and other clubs — has become alarming, as they hit the midpoint at 19-22 on pace for a 38-44 record.
The good news is Wednesday’s could be the final crunch time without Tim Hardaway Jr.
Even with Hardaway’s injury, the Knicks can’t figure out the true go-to guy down the stretch. Kristaps Porzingis has been hot and cold — as he was Wednesday, when he was invisible offensively in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks have suffered eight losses by five points or fewer. In the last 10 games, eight contests have gone to the final 30 seconds. They have lost six of them.
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek has said more than once the team lacks the “physicality and toughness’’ to match other teams late in games. Hornacek believes referees allow players to get away with more, and other clubs take advantage when the Knicks don’t.
Porzingis is probably part of Hornacek’s pointed critiques. After Wednesday’s two-overtime loss, Hornacek praised his energetic start but felt the 7-foot-3 Latvian tired from his career-high 44 minutes. (He shot an airball over Dunn late in the second OT.)
While Porzingis had his big moment in New Orleans on Dec. 30 with late-game shot-making and threw down a last-second dunk to force the second OT Wednesday, he has yet to establish himself as a closer extraordinaire, like Anthony established early in his career in Denver. Yeah, he was once the best. It’s Porzingis’ next step.
The Knicks missed eight free throws to contribute to the loss (13-of-21) but didn’t get to the line enough. The starting backcourt didn’t shoot a single free throw in 85 minutes of action. Incredible.
Courtney Lee, on the verge of setting a new franchise record for consecutive free throws made, didn’t see the line in 45 minutes despite scoring 16 points. Hornacek has been worried about jinxing Lee by talking about the streak. Lee has made 43 straight free throws but looked like he was almost avoiding drawing contact Wednesday. Jarrett Jack also didn’t take a free throw.
After outplaying Dennis Smith Jr. in his prior outing, French rookie Frank Ntilikina had a comedown — strangely invisible against the Bulls. He was scoreless with three assists, missing all three shots. Ntilikina had spoken about how confident he felt now in Dallas after besting Smith.
When the management figures out how to open a roster spot to complete the signing for point guard Trey Burke, the former Utah lottery pick can find his way into spot duty, especially on marathon nights like Wednesday. Jack played 40 minutes in posting his triple-double that came along with five turnovers, including a ghastly one late in the second overtime. Ramon Sessions no longer is trusted to provide a rare boost.
Burke was spectacular in posting glossy numbers in the G League, but one scout warned the G League stats are beyond inflated and his defense isn’t up to snuff. But the 25-year-old is perfect Jack insurance if his knees can’t hold up from his heavy workload or if Ntilikina hits a rookie wall.
Hornacek seemed to take a slight dig at Timberwolves president and coach Tom Thibodeau, who traded Dunn on draft night in the Jimmy Butler deal. In praising the fearless Dunn, who banked in the game-winner in the final minute despite being 3-of-17, Hornacek noted how “teams had given up on him.”
After Hornacek talked of a new philosophy of going big with two centers, Willy Hernangomez was back to DNP status in the 58-minute game.