RJ Barrett Bully-Balls Knicks to Victory. NY 111 San Antonio 96

RJ Barrett took over this game in the 3rd and 4th quarters, scoring 31 points overall on efficient scoring to lead the Knicks to a win over San Antonio at Madison Square Garden on a Monday night

1. Barrett Stars

Barrett was aggressive from the start — driving to the basket continuously and showing no fear of San Antonio’s shot blocking center Jakob Poeltl. Barrett had 14 points at the half and NY had a 51-49 lead.

In the 3rd, Barrett hit a pullup jumper, a floater, a drive, and another drive for an and-1 traditional 3-point play to put NY up 76-67 with 4 minutes left in the period. When he wasn’t scoring he was dishing — to Taj Gibson for a slam or Quentin Grimes for a jumper.

HE'S LIKE THAT.

📊 31 PTS / 4 AST / 3 REB pic.twitter.com/bGpUpNaxs8

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 11, 2022

With 3 minutes left in the 3rd, Barrett had one of the defensive plays of the game, emphatically blocking Drew Eubanks‘ layup underneath.

NOT IN RJ'S HOUSE 😤 pic.twitter.com/3v6VQeevke

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 11, 2022

The Knicks entered the 4th quarter with a 7-pt lead on the strength of Barrett’s strong play, and then RJ turned it up a notch at the start of the 4th with a 3 and two drives to put the Knicks up 14 — 91-77 — with 9 minutes left.

2. Knicks Add to Lead in 4th — A Blowout in Minutes

Barrett took a rest while Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks, and Quentin Grimes followed with consecutive 3’s and just like that NY had a 23-point lead and it was lights out San Antonio.

3. Randle Facilitates; Toppin Dunks

Julius Randle hit the first shot of the entire game — for either side. Those would be the only 2 points he’d score all night, going 1-7 but facilitating — grabbing 12 rebounds, handing out 3 assists, getting 1 block, and finishing with a near team-high +16.

But he was booed at Madison Square Garden for the 1-7 shooting and left the court looking pissed off.

Meanwhile, Obi Toppin lit up the arena with some fancy dunks — leading some on Twitter to suggest trading Randle and putting Toppin in at power forward. Those fans were forgetting the double teams that Randle draws, which makes everyone’s life easier on the Knicks — some fans pointed out.

OBI WITH THE EXCLAMATION POINT. pic.twitter.com/FJylQHdcWl

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 11, 2022

4. Robinson Energy Inside

Mitchell Robinson showed a lot of energy, especially early. He had 13 points on 4-4 shooting, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Robinson’s name has come up recently in trade rumors for Indiana’s Myles Turner, who is rumored to be on the block.

Etcetera

Immanuel Quickley played well, leading the Knicks at the point. He had the team-high +17, and 12 points (on 5-12 shooting, 2-5 from 3) with 6 assists.

Evan Fournier also shot well — getting good looks from Barrett, Randle, and Quickley. He had 18 points on 5-12 shooting (4-7 from 3).

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360429