The Knicks can learn from Monday's loss to the Cavaliers, but it highlights problems that need to be addressed

The Knicks led Cleveland by 13 points with 4:30 left in the third quarter on Monday night – they were at home – elite teams find a way to close out these games.

The Knicks weren't playing like an elite team toward the end of Monday's game.

In the final 16 minutes of the game, they shot 10 of 28. They allowed it Darius Garland scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter. And they let a winnable game slip away.

Part of the problem? When things got tight in the fourth quarter, they didn't talk enough.

“It’s still early for us (in the season), but I think we need to communicate a little better with each other. I think when they did their (run), we were just silent for a little bit.” Mikal Bridges said. “It's difficult. I think we all know it's just a run, so we won't mind. But sometimes you have to say something to each other and listen to each other. “Are we good?” And talk to each other on the pitch, when something happens. I think it quieted down a little bit and they sensed that and kind of got a little loud and got a little bit of momentum. But… it's early.”

Watching Monday's game, you can certainly see that the Knicks team is still getting used to each other.

Karl Anthony cities I only took eight shots. That probably won't happen often this season.

Jalen Brunson shot 8 of 24. That probably won't happen often this season either.

So at best, Monday's loss was a learning experience for the Knicks, but it also highlighted some issues that need to be addressed.

One of them is the Knicks' three-point volume. New York shot eight more times than Cleveland on Monday but attempted eight fewer three-pointers than the Cavs. Compared to the rest of the league, the Knicks haven't attempted many three-pointers. This is worth noting as outdoor shooting was a focus of the group.

“We need to generate more (threes). “Sometimes it’s a byproduct of deep decisions, of reading,” says head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Obviously you want as many layups as possible. If you have two, spread it out. And then everyone has to do it – you can't just stare at the ball, you have to stare at the whole field… You have to read the man in front of you, what he's doing, so that we don't end up with the boys drifting towards each other.”

It was striking to see Towns make just two three-point attempts in over 30 minutes.

When asked after the game about the Cavs' defense and Towns' shot attempts, Brunson placed the responsibility on himself.

“It's up to us. It's up to me as a teammate to make sure we're all on the same page and make sure everyone eats. I have to get better at that,” Brunson said.

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE ROTATION?

The Knicks should add more shots soon. New York must add two players by Nov. 5 to meet league roster rules. There is mutual interest Matt Ryan and the Knicks. When Landry Shamet comes back from his dislocated shoulder, he is a strong candidate to return to the club.

I still think middle Ariel Hukporti is converted from a two-way contract to a traditional deal. The Knicks' G League team – the Westchester Knicks – drafted both Shamet and Ryan with their first two picks in Saturday's draft.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Thibodeau said when asked about drafting Ryan and Shamet. “Obviously Landry is going through the rehab process. We're thrilled with Matt, just because of the skills and the shoot. You feel like you can’t get enough of shooting, but we really like both guys.”

Hukporti also played 12 minutes off the bench against Cleveland, playing up front Jericho Sims for most of the game.

“Taking a look at someone else to try and change it. Their adults are quite dynamic. We wanted to see what it would look like,” Thibodeau said, adding that Hukporti’s minutes against the Cavs were “solid.”

Thibodeau said Josh Hart has a bruise, but he didn't know what would happen next. Hart left the game in the second half after a collision with Caris LeVert. LeVert's knee hit Hart's shin as both went for the ball. Jalen Brunson said after the game that his leg was fine. He left the game for several minutes in the second half after feeling unwell following a trip to the lane.

Keep an eye on ATKINSON AND THE CAVS

When healthy, the Cavs should be one of the tougher teams in the Eastern Conference. Former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson leads a group that features several top players on multi-year deals (Donovan MitchellGarland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen).

Garland injured the Knicks on Monday, but keep an eye on Mobley's play this season.

“We have a real plan for him… with all of his work off the field, what he does in the weight room, his habits off the field and all that stuff. “It's really a holistic approach and I really believe in it,” Atkinson said. “I'm thrilled so far. I think he has already made strategic moves. We do different things with him.”

Atkinson is a different coach than he was in Brooklyn. He said his time as an assistant at Golden State and with the Clippers changed his approach as he learned a lot from it Steve Kerr And Ty Lue.

“And perhaps even more important is being around players who have achieved it at the highest level,” Atkinson said on Monday. “Steph (curry), Draymond (Green), Klay (Thompson), Paul George, Kawhi (Leonard). You learn so much from these guys…it's funny how things turn out. You will be fired. You think, 'Oh man. What should I do?' And then it turns out it's exactly what I needed. I needed more exposure to the championship culture.”

Atkinson, a Long Island native and former Knicks assistant, believes the Knicks are a championship contender with Towns as the focal point.

“(Towns) makes it really difficult because of his ability to spread the floor; He can spread the ball wide and shoot the three-pointer, but he can also hit the post and he's expanded his game so he can finish,” he said. “So if you're a center in this league and you can do all three things, it's really difficult (to defend).

“What an incredible addition to the Knicks. When I saw that I immediately said they are championship contenders because he is so good. He has really improved. His defense has improved since his first few years. A damn good player.”