RJ Barrett busted out his droop, Jalen Brunson dominated and the Knicks obtained revenge to cap a formidable street journey.
Barrett, who entered the night time on an unpleasant capturing stretch, related on 10 of his 16 makes an attempt and Brunson dropped 34 factors with 9 assists because the Knicks overwhelmed the Thunder on Monday night time, 129-119.
The victory gave the Knicks (9-9) three victories on their five-game journey, which started every week in the past with the temperature warming on Tom Thibodeau’s teaching seat.
The projections had been bleak for the Knicks given the opponents on the West street journey, however they managed to do the next: give Utah its first residence loss this season; win in Denver for the primary time in 16 years; outrun a Thunder squad that beat up on the Knicks in MSG simply eight days prior.
Thibodeau’s squad responded properly to the robust schedule. The losses on the journey had been towards the Warriors and Suns, the final two Western Conference champions.
The Knicks now have three days off earlier than a Black Friday matchup at residence towards the Blazers.
“Hopefully we can build on this and keep moving forward,” Thibodeau stated.
In the earlier 5 video games, Barrett shot a depressing 26% — together with 2-for-25 on 3-pointers. But he set a special tone early Monday night time with a pull-up within the first quarter, a slam dunk and a 3-pointer.
Barrett shot 5-for-6 within the first half and completed with 25 factors. .
“That was fun,” Barrett stated. “Got a couple easy ones. Got it going from there.”
It was an vital confidence booster for the 22-year-old and a pleasant complement to Brunson, whose 34 factors tied his career-high for the common season.
Julius Randle added 25 factors to provide the Knicks a Big-3 vibe.
“RJ had a big game, Jules had a big game. And, of course, Jalen had a monster game,” Thibodeau stated.
The Knicks had been totally embarrassed by the Thunder at MSG, the place they allowed a franchise-record 145 factors in regulation. The recreation in OKC was completely different from tipoff.
With Barrett and Randle cooking, the Knicks led by 16 within the second quarter and 11 on the break. They took benefit of OKC’s lack of an inside presence, driving to the rim continuously and dropping 38 of their 68 first-half factors within the paint.
The Knicks had been lacking Cam Reddish (sore groin) and Derrick Rose (sore toe), which gave Quentin Grimes a second straight begin. Grimes drew the troublesome task of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 30 factors however wasn’t as environment friendly as common whereas capturing 9-of-22.
In phrases of organizational route, the Knicks and Thunder have similarities. Both are stocked with future draft picks acquired in trades, though OKC has decidedly extra. The Knicks are older and costlier, however the largest distinction between the 2 is the 2018 NBA draft.
That’s when the Knicks drafted Kevin Knox with the ninth general decide whereas passing up on Gilgeous-Alexander, who went eleventh to the Thunder. Knox was a bust and was traded to the Hawks. Gilgeous-Alexander is among the many NBA’s prime gamers this season.
But on Monday, he wasn’t sufficient to beat New York’s Big-3.
MITCH INJURED AGAIN
Mitchell Robinson left Monday’s recreation with a sore knee after taking part in simply 13 minutes.
It was Robinson’s second recreation since getting back from a two-week absence due to a sprain sustained to the identical knee on Nov. 4 in Philadelphia.
Robinson, who began at middle Monday, wore a knee brace that introduced a psychological impediment.
“My biggest thing is when I do get [an injury], and I gotta put something on where the area is, I know that it’s there. My mind is constantly thinking about that instead of playing,” stated Robinson.
“So I think I can figure out a way to just go with it, ya know? I know it’s there. Obviously, I don’t want to get hurt again.”
He did get damage once more.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com