Knicks fall to 0-3 in historic slump for defending NBA champions
The New York Knicks have started their season 0-3, marking a historic slump for the defending NBA champions after a loss to the Orlando Magic. The team struggled with shooting efficiency and bench production in the defeat.
Why it matters
The poor start for a defending champion team is a significant narrative in the current NBA season, drawing comparisons to past historical trends.
Hear this story The New York Knicks led by eight points with 8:40 left Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. Then the defending NBA champions watched another one slip away.
The Orlando Magic closed on a 33-16 run to beat the Knicks, 111-102 , dropping New York to 0-3. The Knicks are the first defending NBA champions to lose their first three games since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks .
Those Mavericks lost their opener to the Miami Heat , the team they had beaten in the Finals six months earlier. Then they dropped games to Denver and Oklahoma City before beating Toronto.
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