CLEVELAND — Break out the kazoos. The Knicks have clinched.
A 118-109 victory Sunday over the Wizards assured the franchise a spot within the postseason for simply the second time within the final 10 years, with Jalen Brunson main the cost whereas Julius Randle and RJ Barrett logged damage/sickness DNPs.
James Dolan, a kazoo fanatic, wasn’t in attendance however he’s undoubtedly pleased in regards to the circumstances. He declared the playoffs as an expectation this season, and the Knicks obliged — offering the proprietor the added income from postseason video games and a hike in ticket costs for subsequent season.
Brunson, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes scored a minimum of 21 factors apiece, because the Knicks overcame an early deficit to punish the shorthanded Wizards within the second half.
The subsequent step for the Knicks (46-33) is to stave off the Nets (43-34) to safe the fifth spot and a first-round matchup towards Cleveland.
Sunday was a gimme.
The Wizards sat 4 of their common starters, leaving a lineup that advised the franchise wasn’t attempting very onerous. It was an indictment on Adam Silver’s play-in event because the Wizards aren’t eradicated from the play-in event.
But within the NBA — the place solely two or three groups within the East have a practical probability on the Finals — the draft lottery is extra interesting than the tenth seed.
Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma had been all out for Washington (34-44). Two of them — Porzingis and Kuzma — are hitting free company in the summertime.
The Knicks had been additionally shorthanded with out Randle and Barrett, the latter turning into a late scratch as a result of an sickness.
Quickley and Toppin began and scored 22 and 21 factors, respectively. Brunson completed with 27 factors and eight assists. Quentin Grimes added 27 factors on six 3-pointers. Evan Fournier returned to the rotation however logged simply seven scoreless minutes. It was his first motion since Feb. 12.
The Knicks trailed by as many as 10 within the second quarter — and by 8 at halftime — however retook the lead halfway by way of the third quarter and by no means appeared again.
Cory Kispert led the Wizards with 29 factors.
Thibodeau didn’t need to make an excessive amount of of the playoff clinch.
“You go step by step. There’s steps you take through the course of the season, let’s establish homecourt, let’s have a winning record at home, let’s have a winning record on the road. We take care of each step then those things are going to take care of themselves,” the coach stated. ‘And that’s what we’ve to know. If we begin skipping over issues that’s often whenever you slip. If by successful tonight takes care of that then clearly we’re happy with that. Just preserve transferring ahead. Don’t cease there. Run by way of your entire season and that’s from begin to end, don’t change the method.”
RANDLE BOOTED UP
Randle wore a strolling boot on his left leg whereas sitting on the Knicks bench in the course of the sport.
He sprained his ankle final week and is scheduled for a re-evaluation April 14 — someday earlier than the beginning of the NBA playoffs.
“Just follow the protocol they’re laying out for you,” Thibodeau stated. “That’s all you can do. So work your way through it day by day. When he’s healthy he’ll go. He’s just following their protocol, a lot of treatment, that sort of thing.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com