Jalen Brunson, Knicks Criticized by NBA Fans with Loss to Kyrie, Mavs with Luka Out

An ugly first half put the New York Knicks in a hole they couldn't dig themselves out of en route to a 121-106 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening.

New York trailed 60-38 after shooting 26.2 percent from the field (2-of-16 from three-point range). Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges fared well (26 points on 9-of-20 shooting), but the rest of the team scored 12 points on 2-of-22 field field goals before halftime.

The Mavs coasted from there, leading by 12 or more for the entire second half. The Knicks still lost by 15 despite scoring 76 points over the final two quarters.

Brunson scored 37 points on 14-of-21 shooting (9-of-10 free throws) alongside seven assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added a 25-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Mikal Bridges added 20 points.

However, the Knicks' defense fared poorly despite the Mavs playing without superstar Luka Dončić (sprained right wrist), Klay Thompson (left foot; plantar fascia) and Daniel Gafford (illness).

Six Mavericks scored in double digits led by Naji Marshall's 24. Kyrie Irving added 23 points, and P.J. Washington added a 19-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist outing. Dallas shot 56.5 percent from the field and 17-of-33 from three.

This was a brutal effort from the inconsistent Knicks, who just crushed the host Denver Nuggets 145-118 two nights earlier.

Two evenings before the Denver game, New York lost 121-106 to the 4-13 Utah Jazz, who entered Wednesday second-last in the Western Conference.

Needless to say, this stretch is symbolic of the season.

The 10-8 Knicks still sit a respectable fourth in the Eastern Conference, but this team clearly has a lot of work to do, particularly on the defensive end. Fans weren't thrilled with the outing.

The Knicks will have Thanksgiving off before visiting the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at noon ET.