New York’s offense was frozen down the stretch of Game 1, unable to beat the avalanche of missed photographs.
But the one participant who was hitting his 3-pointers, Obi Toppin, by no means left the bench.
“Not at all,” Toppin mentioned when requested if he was stunned about not taking part in within the last 10 minutes. “No.”
Toppin produced an encouraging efficiency in his first playoff begin Sunday, ending with 18 factors and eight boards because the substitute for the injured Julius Randle. Still, coach Tom Thibodeau subbed out Toppin with 9:38 remaining and left himself open to second-guessing because the Knicks failed to shut in a 108-101 defeat.
Instead, the Knicks used Josh Hart (0-for-4 on 3-pointers Sunday) and RJ Barrett (1-for-5) within the ahead positions. The Knicks managed simply three factors throughout a five-minute stretch within the third quarter, all whereas Jimmy Butler — who Hart was assigned to protect — was barely shifting due to an ankle sprain.
Toppin shot 4-of-11 on treys earlier than getting pulled.
“Just matching up the way they were,” Thibodeau mentioned when requested about not re-inserting Toppin.
Otherwise, Thibodeau was pleased with Toppin’s effort.
“I thought he played very well, very well,” the coach mentioned.
With Randle anticipated to play in Game 2, Toppin’s minutes will probably lower from his 31 on Sunday.
Randle, who has sprained his ankle twice within the final month, went by means of a frenzied exercise in Sunday’s pregame, working up a sweat with the understanding it will function his every day cardio as a result of he wasn’t taking part in.
“I don’t know how close (he was to playing),” Thibodeau mentioned. “I know he worked out before. I just trust him and the medical staff to make that decision. So plan both ways: a plan with him going and a plan if he didn’t go. So, once they make a decision, that’s it. You live with it and you gotta figure it out. We have more than enough.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
