The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Knicks 111-100 in a game at the Paycom Center, an 11-point loss that exposed the team's flaws. This loss was the fourth consecutive loss for the Knicks, marking their fourth consecutive game in a row. The Thunder, who are currently on a six-game winning streak against the Knicks and have swept them three seasons, are expected to face the Knicks in a seven-game series. The Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns played a significant role in the Thunder's victory, scoring 15 points and 18 rebounds in 34 minutes, but the team struggled against teams their own caliber. The team's next challenge will be against the Houston Rockets in Houston.