Monday, October 9 was a learning experience for the New York Knicks and their fans. It was a clear representation of the fact that a lopsided preseason loss isn’t necessarily synonymous with a result that should send a team or its fanbase into a downward spiral.
Although the final score was less than ideal, the Knicks overcame a severely shorthanded roster to flash some measure of potential during a 117-95 loss to the Houston Rockets.
New York was without six of the top 10 players in head coach Jeff Hornacek’s rotation. That laundry list featured Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Frank Ntilikina, Doug McDermott, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and Joakim Noah.