By: Lucky Ngamwajasat
It was a matter of a slow start and a fantastic finish for the Knicks Gaming team Saturday.
Knicks Gaming took a loss in their early game against KingsGuardGG, but rebounded in resounding fashion against RaptorsGC.
In their first matchup of the day, Knicks Gaming started off well against KingsGuardGG and was working like a fine-tuned machine.
Iamadamthe1st showed off some razzle-dazzle with this sweet behind-the-back dribble into a layup.
✨ Shake and Bake ✨@iamadamthe1st jukes the defender with a smooth behind-the-back dribble before going off the glass for two points!
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/A8wxWgtq0o
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Knicks Gaming closed out the first quarter on a high, punctuated by this monster jam from IDrisDaGoat6 and took a six-point lead into the second quarter.
Grown man’s move @ImThat6MB
6-0 run gives @KnicksGaming a 20-14 lead heading into the 2nd Q.
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/rDzaQZ7F4u
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
But a 13-2 run to open the second quarter by KingsGuardGG turned the tables on the home side and saw them trailing at the halftime interval.
.@KingsGuardGG use a strong second Q to take a 6-point lead into the break.@mrlarryridley & @ThePhenomenalEE provide analysis with the halftime recap presented by @Alienware. pic.twitter.com/cFvghSZc0s
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Knicks Gaming came out of the halftime break looking to punish KingsGuardGG in the paint. The teams entered the final stanza tied.
AND-1 💪@ImThat6MB pic.twitter.com/Mi2jkeMXko
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Crossover x Pull-up x Bucket, @NateKahl
All knotted at 50 heading into the 4th Q.
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/WtiEVLPiWt
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
But in the end, another big run by KingsGuardGG put the game away. The boys from Sacramento took this one, 71-60.
The hoop & the harm!@timelycook gets the bucket and the foul to make it an 8-point @KingsGuardGG lead midway through the 4th Q.
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/slQgUvJqCc
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
IdrisDaGoat6 led all players with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Knicks Gaming really struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, getting outscored by a 48-15 margin in those two periods. The team also had trouble hitting their threes, shooting just 4-of-14 from downtown.
.@worthingcolt_, @timelycook, @Safiya4ya and @worthingcolt_ all score at least 15 points to propel the @KingsGuardGG dub! pic.twitter.com/2306aevyfE
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
In danger of falling to 1-4, the Knicks Gaming team came out with desperation against RaptorsGC. The home side jumped out to an early lead and held a two-point advantage after one quarter.
.@KnicksGaming leads @RaptorsGC 14-12 after Q1!
Tune in for all the action.
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/qJzJEUGgzF
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
IdrisDaGoat6 was possessed in the paint, leading all scorers with 15 points at halftime.
.@ImThat6MB paces the @KnicksGaming lead with 15 points and 6 rebounds at the break.@KnicksGaming 35 / @RaptorsGC 31
💻 https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO pic.twitter.com/Cit7Y20VQ0
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Knicks Gaming pulled away in the second half, with IdrisDaGoat6 leading the charge.
.@ImThat6MB and @KnicksGaming getting hyped!🗣
💻 https://t.co/v1LLynxNVO pic.twitter.com/HIpyQrcZdl
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Knicks Gaming cruised to a 73-56 win over Raptors GC. Knicks Gaming held Raptors GC to just 4-for-16 shooting from three-point range. IdrisDaGoat6 led the way with 27 points and 8 rebounds, an utterly dominant performance in the paint.
@ImThat6MB dominated with 27 points and 8 boards while @Goofy757__ chipped in 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals to pace the @KnicksGaming dub pic.twitter.com/SToNuq4lgu
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
After the game, the Knicks Gaming squad had one message for the rest of the NBA 2K League:
“We got heart!” @KnicksGaming checks in after the win!
💻: https://t.co/IWibnYP9k4 pic.twitter.com/fV0Pn2aE2n
— NBA2KLeague (@NBA2KLeague) June 2, 2018
Will the win propel Knicks Gaming the rest of the way? G O O F Y 7 5 7 thinks so.
I think we got it now..
— G O O F Y 7 5 7 #LeBro (@Goofy757__) June 2, 2018
Next Game: Knicks Gaming will be back in action in single-elimination tournament play Thursday with coverage live on Twitch. Times to be announced.
Knicks Gaming Record: 2-3
Stat of the Day: In two contests, IdrisDaGoat6 averaged a monstrous 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Tune In: Don’t miss the next episode of KNX Gaming: Inside the NBA 2K league Tuesday at 10 PM on MSG and MSG GO.