Knicks fall to Thunder despite changes

OKLAHOMA CITY — David Fizdale’s lineup changes didn’t pay off.

In desperate need of better ball movement, the Knicks head coach slotted point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and small forward Kevin Knox into the starting rotation for Frank Ntilkina and Damyean Dotson.

But neither move worked as Paul George scored a season-high 35 points to help the Thunder rout the Knicks 128-103 on Wednesday night.

Steven Adams notched 19 points and seven rebounds, and Dennis Schroder added 15 points and 12 assists for the Thunder, which has won nine of 10 since an 0-4 start, and improved to 4-1 since point guard Russell Westbrook was sidelined with a sprained left ankle.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. scored 20 points, and Enes Kanter added 19 for the Knicks.

George scored 18 points in the first half and Adams added 15 to help the Thunder take a 65-49 lead. Oklahoma City shot 56.5% from the field before the break.

The Thunder put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Adams threaded the needle to find a cutting Patrick Patterson for a dunk, then Patterson lobbed to George for a jam that put Oklahoma City ahead 85-61. George scored 17 points in the third quarter, and the Thunder led 100-80 at the end of the period.

TIP-INS

Kanter, who played for the Thunder for two seasons and part of another, got a warm reception from the fans . ... Rookie F Kevin Knox scored 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting.