The New York Knicks kicked off their Summer League campaign with a tough matchup against the Charlotte Hornets at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. The Knicks battled to make a comeback but eventually fell short, losing to the Hornets with a score of 94-90.

The Knicks started the game on a shaky note, struggling to find their rhythm in the first quarter. By the end of the opening period, they were trailing the Hornets by a score of 23-12. Brandon Miller led the charge for the Hornets, helping them extend their lead to 15 points in the second quarter.

However, the Knicks showed resilience and fought back in the second quarter, with rookie Tyler Kolek impressing as their floor general. The 23-year-old showed off his skills, demonstrating his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. Kolek's solid play helped the Knicks cut the deficit, and they went into halftime trailing 47-40.

The Hornets started the second half strong, but the Knicks continued to battle and narrowed the gap to 67-63 by the end of the third quarter. Despite the Hornets maintaining the lead throughout the game, the Knicks never stopped fighting. They made a late surge in the fourth quarter, and with a chance to tie the game, they came within two points before ultimately falling short.

Duane Washington Jr. was the standout performer for the Knicks in this game, finishing with an impressive 26 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. On the other side, Nick Smith Jr. led the Hornets with 24 points, while Brandon Miller contributed 23 points.

Rookie Tyler Kolek showcased his passing abilities, racking up seven points, seven assists, and seven rebounds in 29 minutes of play. Rokas Jokubaitis, who the Knicks drafted in 2021, showed flashes of his shot-creating skills, contributing eight points, one assist, and a steal.

Pacome Dadiet impressed with his defensive prowess, locking up opposing players, although he struggled on the offensive end. Ariel Hukporti demonstrated his skills with a smooth hook shot, but had limited playing time.

Despite the loss, the Knicks showed promise and demonstrated their determination to compete in the Summer League. With several young talents and familiar faces on the roster, there is much anticipation surrounding the team's upcoming performance.

The Knicks will have a chance to rebound on Tuesday as they face the Summer Nets. The Summer League offers valuable opportunities for these young players to develop their skills and make a case for a spot on the main roster. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next game to see how the Knicks will fare.

As the Summer League continues, Knicks fans will be closely watching their team's progress, hopeful for a successful summer campaign.