Mitchell Robinson: New York Knicks Lacked 'Full Potential' in Boston Celtics Loss

Mitchell Robinson and the New York Knicks have accepted the fact that there are no moral victories in the NBA.

The New York Knicks didn't put their best foot forward in their season-opening loss against the Boston Celtics. Despite having a lead in the closing minutes of the game, the Knicks were unable to put it away, losing 108-104 to their rivals to start the season.

"Obviously we didn't play to our full potential," Knicks center Mitchell Robinson said after the game (h/t SNY). "They're a high-caliber team we played against. To be there right with them, that's pretty good."

Robinson didn't have much of an impact offensively in Wednesday's loss, scoring just two points, a far cry from where he was in the preseason (42 points, 32 total rebounds over four exhibitions).

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Brunson struggled in the opener, making just 6-of-21 shots for 15 points, well below his 24-point average a year ago. Julius Randle also struggled mightily from the field, making only 5-of-22. New York (0-1) was primarily sustained by the scoring efforts of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who led the team with 24 each in defeat. 

Boston is considered to be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference For the Knicks to be right there in the closing portion of the opening game is a baseline for what they can be moving forward, but there are no moral victories in the NBA.

The Knicks shouldn't be peaking after one game into the regular season, but they hope to build and play to their full potential as the season rolls on. A formidable early season challenge awaits the Knicks on Friday night as they'll open a three-game road trip against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).