Knicks lose to struggling Hornets, 115-98

The New York Knicks faced a tough loss against the Charlotte Hornets, a team struggling this season. The Hornets, with only 18 wins, defeated the Knicks 115-98 on Thursday night. The Knicks, coached by Tom Thibodeau, seemed to lack energy and focus throughout the game. They struggled particularly because their bench players had a poor performance, getting outscored 37-11 by Charlotte's reserves. The Knicks’ bench did not score until the fourth quarter, with players like Precious Achiuwa, Landry Shamet, and Cam Payne shooting only 3 for 16. Jalen Brunson's absence due to an ankle injury has hurt the team's offense. The Knicks have now lost four of their last seven games, dropping their record to 43-26. They trailed behind for most of the game, being down by double digits for the entire final quarter. Fans and analysts are worried about the team’s performance as the playoffs approach.