Knicks’ late collapse snaps 3-game win streak

MEMPHIS — The Knicks reverted to the familiar — another collapse.

Ja Morant and the upstart Grizzlies ran rampant in the fourth quarter Friday night at FedEx Forum, recovering from a 15-point deficit overall and snapping the Knicks three-game winning streak, 118-114.

Morant was the thrilling catalyst while scoring 15 of his 37 points in the final period, as Tom Thibodeau’s offense sputtered and stalled. Julius Randle scored 36 points for the visitors, but only six in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks succumbed to Memphis’ 36-18 run to end the game.

“Honestly, they came out with a specific type of intensity in the fourth,” RJ Barrett said. “And we couldn’t match it. They were better than us.”

It was a disheartening way for the Knicks (28-39) to finish an otherwise encouraging Western Conference swing. With Charlotte and Atlanta both winning Friday, New York is now 4 games out of the final play-in spot with only 15 to play.

It’s a daunting position with Kevin Durant and the Nets waiting in store for Sunday’s game in Barclays Center.

“Any team that has that high level of talent you know how they good they are,” Thibodeau said about the Nets.

Briefly, the Knicks appeared ready for an upset in Memphis. They took control in the third quarter, building that 15-point advantage behind Randle’s bullish offense and an all-around committed defense. But that disappeared quickly — within about seven minutes of game action — and Morant’s lay-up provided Memphis a one-point edge midway through the fourth quarter.

Morant, a dark horse MVP candidate, hit 14 of 33 shots and added eight assists.

“A guy like that you’ve got to try to make him work,” Thibodeau said. “So, he took 33 shots, so he’s going to get some.”

Randle was also satisfied with the defense against Morant, despite his fourth-quarter takeover.

“He shot 14 for 33, which is if you’re going to give him 37 points, you want him to do it like that, obviously,” Randle said. “But he’s a great player, made big plays down the stretch.”

Barrett finished 23 points on just 9 of 25 shooting for the Knicks, who finished their fifth straight road game against Western Conference opponents (they went 3-2).

“Bittersweet,” Randle said. “Kind of story of the season. A couple games where we kind of lost it in the end.”

Reddish avoids surgery: Cam Reddish’s shoulder separation has finished his season but won’t require surgery, according to coach Tom Thibodeau. Reddish suffered the injury in a victory this week in Sacramento.