After their big win against the Clippers in LA the night before, the Knicks started out slowly in this game in Sacramento — down 20 points in the 2nd quarter. But the Knicks erupted for a huge 3rd quarter to take the lead, and demolished the Kings down the stretch to win going away, 131-113.
1. Quickley Ignites It & Knicks Erupt in 3rd
The Knicks looked lifeless and were down 20 when Immanuel Quickley hit a bucket and then got fouled on a 3 the next time down for 5 quickley points to end the half — slicing Sacramento’s lead to 15.
Julius Randle came out of the halftime break with a 3, Evan Fournier followed with a drive, and RJ Barrett hit 2 free throws and just like that it was an 8-pt deficit and game on.
Randle, Barrett, and Fournier kept up the attack throughout the period — back-to-back 3’s by Fournier and then Randle gave the Knicks an 81-80 lead with 4:34 left in the quarter.
GET OUT OF RJ BARRETT'S WAY pic.twitter.com/3YX6tJz1sn
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 8, 2022
2. Randle ON FIRE At End
New York took a 5-pt lead into the 4th and the game went back and forth for a few minutes — the Knicks held a 94-92 lead with 9 minutes left and Knick fans were probably thinking, here comes another blown win.
But a Randle drive followed by a Quickley 3 and RJ Barrett drive gave NY breathing room at 101-94, and then Randle — who had been having a terrific game — got RED HOT. He hit 2 consecutive 3’s to put NY up 107-94.
JULIUS RANDLE SEASON-HIGH 38 NOW 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kCDSUZtSDq
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 8, 2022
Quickley kept attacking, getting to the line, and Barrett hit a 3 and then Randle hit 2 more 3’s to put NY up 124-104 with 3 minutes left.
JULIUS RANDLE.
CAREER-HIGH 46.
8 THREES. pic.twitter.com/NvsNJQCMXL
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 8, 2022
Just like that Randle had 46 points. But coach Tom Thibodeau took him out with 1:23 left so as not to stick the win in Sacramento’s face. In the old days, when a guy was 4 points away from 50 his team would pass him the ball — not take him out of the game! Such are the modern-day NBA more’s.
Randle’s line was 46 points on 18-31 shooting (8-16 from 3; 2-2 in free throws), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and a +18.
Barrett had 29 points on 11-21 shooting (3-6 from 3; 4-4 in free throws), 8 rebounds, 6 assists and a +23.
3. Quickley Played Great Point
Quickley had 27 points on 7-10 shooting (3-5 from 3; 10-11 in free throws), 6 rebounds and 4 assists for a +10. He finished at the rim for layups on several of his penetrations — something he has not done much of previously in his NBA career — always popping the floater in the lane which other teams have gotten used to.
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY MY GOODNESS ❄️ pic.twitter.com/u0xWstCHs5
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 8, 2022
It was one of Quickley’s best games as a pro — with his energy on both ends of the court, and constant penetrations, scoring, and dishing — looking like a real point guard.
His counterpart, All Star De’Aaron Fox had 24 points on 10-18 shooting (1-4 from 3) — constantly attacking and penetrating the Knicks half court defense all night.
4. Etcetera
Fournier had 15 (5-14 shooting; 3-10 from 3).
Mitchell Robinson left the game after 2 minutes with a stomach flu.
Cam Reddish had 2 points in 16 minutes before going out with injury — he tried to block a shot and came down in a tumble on his right shoulder. He had to leave the game, and was seen in a sling afterwards.
Miles McBride played 20 minutes of excellent defense.
.@deucemcb11 with the CLAMPS 🔒 pic.twitter.com/8XWiK8m0YW
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 8, 2022
Domantas Sabonis (19 points) was ejected late in the 4th for getting vehement at the calls he was getting, and brushing up near the referee. Randle has always done well against Sabonis and this game was no exception.
Harrison Barnes had 23 points on 7-11 shooting (3-4 from 3).
Be the first to comment