INDIANAPOLIS — Carmelo Anthony talked about “decompressing’’ after Monday’s horrific loss to Toronto, spending time with his family and getting away from basketball.
Instead, in his first game back from questioning his teammates’ desire, Anthony deconstructed, suffering a meltdown on the court Wednesday at Indiana, shooting just 5-of-20 for 14 points and committing a costly technical foul with 1:29 left in the Knicks’ 108-105 loss to the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
It ended with Anthony shooting an airball from 3-point range on the right wing off an inbounds pass from Lance Thomas with 1.9 seconds left. Moments before rookie Kristaps Porzingis had a chance to redeem Anthony but missed a straightaway 3-pointer with a chance to win it.
“It was just a tough night overall, getting going period,’’ Anthony said.
The Knicks fell to 1-4 under interim coach Kurt Rambis and a season-worst 11 games under .500 (24-35). They have lost 10 straight at Indiana dating to 2011.
The worst part of the loss is the Knicks played with grit and got many unlikely contributions. Starting point guard Jose Calderon (20 points, 6-of-10 shooting, four assists) was terrific. Little-used reserve forward Kyle O’Quinn (season-high 19 points) was too. They were the two players most prominently shopped at the trade deadline and made their season’s most positive impact for naught.
“Guys really did step up, played well and responded well,’’ Anthony said. “On a night everybody stepped up, I had one of my worst nights. I don’t have any excuses.’’
Anthony’s worst moment may have occurred after he committed a critical turnover banging in the lane. He was double-teamed, and got stripped by Indiana’s standout rookie Myles Turner with 1:40 to go.
On the ensuing possession, off an inbounds, Anthony picked up his technical foul as he first grabbed Turner’s arm, then appeared to forearm him in the face when Turner took exception. Paul George hit the free throws, then scored on a jumper and the Pacers were up 107-101 with 1:12 left.
“We got tangled a little bit and I took my arm out,’’ Anthony said. “They said unsportsmanlike conduct. I wasn’t frustrated. Sometimes you can have tough nights and be frustrated. Tonight was just a night I had to take.’’
“Physically I felt great. It was a tough shooting night for me.”
It was a shame that even Calderon and O’Quinn couldn’t savor the moment. Rambis had hinted at a starting lineup change but stood pat.
When asked whether he was worried, Calderon snapped, “Did you ask the other four guys?”
A surly O’Quinn gave a string of one-word answers regarding his topsy-turvy season.
Yeah, it’s really bad in the Knicks’ locker room.