It was nice whereas it lasted.
Evan Fournier obtained an sudden probability and ran with it Sunday night, sending a reminder of his capturing prowess whereas serving to the Knicks launch a powerful comeback and beat the red-hot 76ers, 108-97.
But Fournier is underneath no phantasm of returning to the rotation.
“It was like a fun one-night stand,” Fournier mentioned. “I think (coach Tom Thibodeau) is set on his nine-man rotation.”
Fournier’s alternative arose last-second due to RJ Barrett’s sickness, because the Frenchman didn’t know he’d be the backup capturing guard till the pregame anthem. Then the Knicks trailed by 21 factors inside 10 minutes, requiring the unlikely mixture of their largest comeback of the season and a season-high 17 factors from Fournier.
The veteran knocked down 5 of his 8 makes an attempt from past the arc, and acquired a pleasant ovation from the Garden crowd after fouling out with underneath 2 minutes remaining. It was extra poignant as a result of, with the commerce deadline approaching this week, Fournier could have performed his remaining recreation at MSG as a Knick.
“Actually, it was kind of messed up because I didn’t get to enjoy (the ovation) because I was upset about the foul that was not a foul,” mentioned Fournier, whose 24 minutes was essentially the most he performed since October. “I wish I could go back to enjoy it. That was fun. That’s why I love New York. They talk sh— but they give you love as well.”
The Knicks (28-25) proved resilient throughout a tough stretch of their schedule, defeating 4 of the highest groups within the Eastern Conference during the last two weeks (additionally they beat the Heat, Cavs and Celtics).
The Sixers (32-18) are surging however sputtered within the fourth quarter whereas failing to attain 100 factors for simply the fourth time this season.
“Philadelphia has been playing as well as anyone in the league,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So we knew we had a big test for us and we started off, got in a hole. I thought our bench came in, they gave us a big lift. And then when the starters came back, they were terrific. It was just a good team win all the way around.”
Joel Embiid was predictably a handful whereas scoring 31 factors — together with 18 from the foul line. But no different Philadelphia starter managed over 14 factors, together with James Harden, who was stifled by Deuce McBride.
Julius Randle scored 24 factors and Brunson added 21.
Barrett’s absence was fascinating timing. Over three video games within the final week, he was benched in crunch time and panned by MSG Network analyst Clyde Frazier for his shoddy protection.
“Barrett has the distinction of being the Knicks’ worst defender, folks,” Frazier mentioned on the Saturday evening broadcast. “They have all these stats now and he’s the worst guy.”
Thibodeau predictably backed his 22-year-old wing by saying his particular person defensive score is “meaningless.” But then the Knicks put collectively one in every of their greatest efforts of the season.
“We’ve been playing really well offensively. But I thought our defense tonight was probably the difference,” Thibodeau mentioned.
Durable all through his profession, Barrett has now missed seven of the final 20 video games. He didn’t make it to the bench on Sunday.
“He went through the walkthrough and in the pregame just started feeling ill,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Nothing you can do about it. It’s the time of the year where guys are getting sick.”
Since it’s Super Bowl time and Philadelphia followers journey effectively to MSG, the sport was suffering from ‘E-A-G-L-E-S’ chants. But then the rating flipped within the fourth quarter, and the New Yorkers had the ultimate say.
“Eagles suck,” was the final chant on Sunday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com