The Knicks didn’t have a lot to play for in Friday’s 108-102 loss in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Sq. Backyard. There would’ve been no actual enhance of confidence for lastly beating one of many NBA’s greatest groups since head coach Kenny Atkinson sat most starters within the matchup.
And the Knicks basically locked up the No. 3 total seed earlier than the night time ended with the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers slated for a loss of their matchup in opposition to the Orlando Magic. The Pacers, who deployed their D-team as starters rested, had been down 23 by halftime and ultimately misplaced, 129-115, to the Magic.
The constructive, although, is essential Knicks gamers — Jalen Brunson, Miles “Deuce” McBride and Mitchell Robinson — whose statuses had been up within the air because the postseason neared continued to love themselves.
That began with the captain.
With out having to take care of the defensive prowess of De’Andre Hunter and the scoring outbursts of Donovan Mitchell, Brunson continued to development in the appropriate path after lacking 15 video games as a result of an ankle sprain. In his fourth recreation for the reason that month-long absence, Brunson logged 27 factors, two assists, one rebound and one steal.
It’s additionally the third recreation he recorded at the least 34 minutes since his return. Within the first recreation of a back-to-back in opposition to the Pistons on Thursday, the captain logged 29 minutes.
“He says he feels good,” head coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned pregame when requested if Brunson wants extra time on the courtroom to get again in rhythm. “So just get out there. Obviously, we expected to be some rough [parts], but he feels good overall.”
OG Anunoby drops a no-look dime to Mitchell Robinson and throws on the glasses! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6R06oryuVo
For Robinson, his bounce and presence across the rim is a welcome signal for participant getting on monitor after present process two left ankle surgical procedures. With Karl-Anthony Cities out, Robinson began the sport with an offensive rebound lower than two minutes after tip-off. Minutes later, the large acquired a no-look cross from OG Anunoby that resulted in a slam dunk over Jarrett Allen.
With the depleted Cavs mounting a come again within the fourth, Robinson once more grabbed one other offensive board earlier than discovering Brunson within the nook. Brunson then drained a trey to increase the result in 4 with 6:54 remaining in regulation.
The Knicks, nevertheless, felt sufferer to a Darius Garland-led comeback and suffered defeat.
In his third begin of the season, Robinson completed with eight factors, seven rebounds (5 offensive), two assists, two steals and a block.
After final Sunday’s 14-point win over the Phoenix Suns, McBride declared he was “in the clear” after lacking eight video games as a result of a nagging groin harm.
That remained as such Friday at The Backyard.
McBride surpassed his season common in factors (9.4) after recording 12 in 18 minutes of motion. The fourth-year guard performed his ordinary function because the Knicks’ sixth man and will proceed as such with the Knicks set to tackle the Detroit Pistons within the first-round playoff sequence.
McBride additionally completed with one rebound, one steal and one block apiece within the loss.
