The New York Knicks won in their visit to the Washington Wizards pavilion by a final score of 117-99. RJ Barrett led the second preseason victory (2-0) with 18 points and 4 assists in 31 minutes on the floor.
Up to five teammates would also reach the scoring double digits: Derrick Rose (15); Evan Fournier (14); Obi Toppin (13); Kevin Knox (12) and Immanuel Quickley (11).
The veteran Rose could not play the last minutes of the match due to some pain in his ankle, although as he himself recognized it is not serious. He simply wanted to be cautious. “It is nothing serious at all, but if I continued playing it could have made it worse,” he admitted to the newspaper. NY Post.
For their part, Obi Toppin and Kevin Knox took advantage of their playing minutes in the absence of Julius Randle, who was in New York with his wife and son. The Brooklyn player started as the starter, and Knox returned to the rotation knowing that a final spot on Thibs’ roster was in play.
“Every minute matters,” Kevin Knox acknowledged. “That is my mentality in each game and I have it as a rule. Randle was out so my minutes went up and Obi’s too. When I return, everything will change. So I have to make the most of every opportunity, “he stressed.
The Knicks were much more aggressive on 3s with 24 of 52 attempts (46%), the team’s record so far (20 in the regular season). In addition, they won the rebound by 49 to 43, and distributed up to 27 assists.
“It is very important that everyone is prepared,” said Tom Thibodeau. “If you are not in the rotation, your obligation is to work day after day for when your opportunity arrives. Throughout the season everyone will have it. I watch Kevin and Obi every day. Obi’s role changed to title and he has carried it perfectly. And Kevin the same. He entered the rotation. And they were both prepared. That’s a team, “he concluded.
In the capital, newcomer Montrezl Harrell was the most outstanding with a double-double from the bench (18 points and 10 rebounds); star Bradley Beal added 14 points, and former Brooklyn Spencer Dinwiddie added 13 points.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
