Julius Randle capped the Knicks’ great comeback with a winning basket that allowed them to beat the Washington Wizards 113-115 and finish the preseason undefeated with a perfect 4-0 against the more than 12,000 spectators who came to Madison Square Garden.
The New Yorkers were in tow for much of the crash, and it was veteran Derrick Rose who led the pack with 28 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds in the absence of Kemba Walker, who did not play the entire fourth quarter.
“It was a huge launch. A great game for us », Tom Thibodeau pointed out to the media. NY Post. “In the end, the most important thing of all is to find a way to win,” he admitted.
Randle recovered from a bad night with one last action that started with just 10 seconds left in regulation time. The Knicks star had 21 points and 10 rebounds, albeit 6/16 on the pitch.
It was a triumphant return for the Knicks on the night they recovered injured center Mitchell Robinson, out since last March after suffering a broken foot. The pivot left until 27 minutes to obtain 6 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals.
“It was great to see Mitch in his first game. We had no idea what it would be like, but he always makes a difference, “Thibodeau acknowledged.
Other highlights of the night were RJ Barrett with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4/6 on triples; and teammate Obi Toppin was very close to the double-double with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.
“We try to win every game. I think today we have learned to keep fighting and we have succeeded. You can get a lot of positive things out of the preseason, “concluded the Canadian.
In the capital Raul Neto shone from the bench with 25 points; followed by Spencer Dinwiddie with 17 points; and a Daniel Gafford who amassed 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)