Kemba Walker electrified the Knicks in the 3rd quarter to help NY erase a 16-point halftime deficit and take a lead entering the 4th quarter. But Boston’s Josh Richardson came off Boston’s bench to crush the Knicks with 3’s in the final quarter — ruining Kemba’s Boston return and sending the Knicks to the 114-107 loss on a Saturday night.
The Knicks have now lost 5 of their last 6 and are a disappointing 13-17.
1. Kemba Gets to Play with Knicks Depleted
The Knicks came into this game without RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride — all due to COVID protocols.
So coach Tom Thibodeau was forced to pull Kemba Walker off the deep DNP bench — and started him at the point.
KEMBA. AGAIN.
He's up to 27. pic.twitter.com/fcQPHVFXax
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2021
NY fell behind by 20 in the 1st half and were down 16 at the half. But in the 3rd quarter, Kemba Walker caught fire — raining 3’s, and driving to the basket for buckets or passing out for jumpers by Evan Fournier.
Kemba finished with 29 points on 8-20 shooting (5-11 from 3) and a +5.
2. Fournier Played Well
Evan Fournier was everything the Knicks thought they acquired in the summer. He poured in 32 points on 13-24 shooting (4-10 from 3) and was engaged defensively.
Hustle points. pic.twitter.com/UZgqeieYcT
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2021
“He played really well; really well,” said coach Tom Thibodeau of Fournier afterwards.
Evan is WORKING. pic.twitter.com/2iymsorxrz
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2021
3. Richardson Too Much
New York’s night was ruined by Josh Richardson in the 4th. Richardson came to Boston from Dallas; the Celtics are his 4th team in 4 years. The athletic 6’5 guard shot lights out — 27 points on 9-14 shooting (5-7 from 3). The Knicks had kept Jason Tatum in check most of the evening — guarded by Alec Burks some of that time. Tatum finished with 25 points but was 3-13 from 3.
Jaylen Brown had 23 points on 8-21 shooting.
For the Knicks, Julius Randle had a good game despite the 3 not going down for him (1-7 from 3) — he had 20 pts, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Julius said ⛹🏾♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/MXlOMlzr06
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 19, 2021
Mitchell Robinson (8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block in 22 minutes) and Nerlens Noel (8 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks in 25 minutes) combined for 16 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks. Taj Gibson played 22 minutes and had a block and a steal and seemed to be playing pretty well out there, but had 0 pts, 0 rebounds.
Etcetera
Wayne Seldon was the first man off the Knicks bench (and got 9 minutes).
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