The Knicks Jumped out to a Huge 25-7 lead in the 1st quarter, weathered a Wizard run in the 2nd quarter that tied the game, then pushed back to grab a 10-pt lead at the half, and increased the lead to 15 to 20+ points throughout the 2nd half for the relatively easy win.
Unlike the prior game of the pre-season against Indiana, when the Knicks blew a double-digit, 2nd half lead, coach Tom Thibodeau brought his starters back in for the 4th to ensure the win. It was the last game of the preseason — the Knicks went 3-1. Washington went 1-3.
Takeaways:
1. Mitch Dominated
Mitchell Robinson Dominated early and late — grabbing offensive rebounds like a man possessed inside — like the biggest, badest guy on the court. He had 8 offensive rebounds in the 1st half, and ensuant put-backs and slams.
Mitchell Robinson at the half 🔥
14 PTS
8 REB (all offensive)
1 BLK
1 STL
7/9 FG
15 MINS pic.twitter.com/uQxH9KLh6L— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) October 15, 2022
Robinson had 14 points at the half and finished with 20 points on 9-12 shooting (2-4 in free throws), 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and a +26.
2. Brunson Led
The Knick starters all had +20 or more — they dominated. Part of that was Jalen Brunson, who played like the best player on the court — orchestrating, and scoring. Brunson had 27 points on 10-16 shooting (3-5 from 3 and 4-4 in free throws), 5 assists, and a +27.
JB through the trees 🌲 pic.twitter.com/9tYYhsXz6M
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 14, 2022
He was the engine for the Knicks — a V8 engine with turbo.
3. Barrett Terrific
RJ Barrett also stared. He was a big reason for the Knicks huge early lead, and scored big buckets in the 2nd half on an assortment of power drives and 3’s.
Big bucket Barrett 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/5xSVPlyLYh
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 14, 2022
Barrett had an efficient 19 points on 6-13 shooting (4-7 from 3, 3-5 in free throws), 12 rebounds and a +25.
RJ Barrett with all the moves ♨️ pic.twitter.com/paPxaPy5Or
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) October 15, 2022
4. Randle Efficient
Julius Randle was the 4th option. He played a team game of passing, scoring and efficiency. Poised.
He was 0-5 from 3 — he has to lock back in on that 3 — but overall was 3-11 (4-5 in free throws) for 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a +26 in 28 minutes.
5. Fournier Good
Evan Fournier only had 4 points but played good ball. He held his on on defense — at times noticeably keeping Bradley Beal in front of him. On one play he caused a loose ball, scrambled after it, and hit Jalen Brunson with a heads-up, ahead-of-the-field pass for a layup.
What a find 👀 What a finish 🪣 pic.twitter.com/UQzjLjPtOd
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 15, 2022
5. Quickley Rebound Game But Bench Outplayed
The Knick bench was the reason for Washington coming back to tie the game in the 2nd period. They did better in the 2nd half. Immanuel Quickley in particular had a bounce-back game, and 2nd half — hitting some big shots in the 4th to keep Washington down.
Obi Toppin played ok — hit a jumper and two slams for 6 points in 18 minutes on 3-9 shooting (0-3 from 3). Isaiah Hartenstein played well — rebounding and passing — 4 pts, 8 rebounds in 17 minutes. Derrick Rose had 4 points in 14 minutes. But the defensive intensity of the 2nd team wasn’t there in the 2nd quarter.
The second team had a hard time dealing with Rui Hachimura — who was the best player on the court for DC, coming off the bench for 20 points and 8 rebounds.
Former Knicks Taj Gibson, Damyean Dotson, and Kristaps Porzingis play for Washington.
Gibson played 22 minutes — but had a hard time in the 4th dealing with Mitchell Robinson.
Dotson played 4 minutes. Porzingis did not play due to a minor injury, resting for the regular season.
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401474905
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