Their attention returned to the Knicks.
After starting a new campaign with a two-game winning streak, they suffered another series of heavy blows as soon as March began...
March 1.
The Knicks welcomed the Oklahoma Thunder to their home court.
The game ended with a score of 127–119.
The Thunder defeated New York by eight points.
Even though Chen put on another incredible performance that night, finishing with 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, he still couldn't turn the tide.
Rose and Toppin remained out, leaving New York with very little depth.
As a result, the Knicks fell into a huge hole during the transition period, and they couldn't climb back out...
Of course, the more important reason was the opposing team's excellent performance.
Russell Westbrook put up a balanced and efficient 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 13 assists, making good on his "promise" with his play.
Turtle Turtle, the god of "grudge matches"!~~
Led by Westbrook, who was "reliving his MVP glory," the Thunder also played a smooth, well-coordinated game, balanced on both ends of the floor.
Even Chen Xi could only admit in his postgame interview, "The Thunder were the better team tonight. We have no excuse for this loss."
The Knicks had only just swallowed their first bitter defeat when a second one came knocking before long.
March 5.
Fresh off a win over the Charlotte Hornets that kept them from losing two straight, the Knicks soon faced the Nets in another major showdown.
This time, they traveled to Brooklyn for an away game.
The good news was that Brooklyn was very close to New York. They didn't even need a plane. Chen couldn't be bothered to take a bus—he could just drive himself.
The bad news was that Chen Xi wasn't in as good a