New York stand up.
The Big Apple’s beloved Knickerbockers are now on a nine-game winning streak, after picking up another win on Sunday night. And his latest win might have been his best performance of the entire season.
It came against the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics in a prime-time matchup, and without star point guard Jalen Brunson, who was sidelined with a foot injury. But the absence of their second leading scorer didn’t faze New York, which got a sparkling performance from backup PG Immanuel Quickley.
“Quick” was the quintessential head coach Tom Thibodeau needed him to be, putting up 38 points, eight boards, seven assists and four steals in a game-high 55 minutes. Julius Randle added 31 points and key free throws in the win, while RJ Barrett had 29.
The win marked New York’s third win over Boston this season (second in a week), while virtually cementing a guaranteed top-six playoff spot. Randle, meanwhile, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, joining Brunson as the second Knick to receive the honor this season.
Even though the Knicks’ playoff spot looks solid, Nick Wright still thinks they’ll be defenseless come April.
For Wright, it’s a stance he’s held since last year.
“This Knicks team is a threat no one in the playoffs, and six weeks from now, we’re going to be talking about whether they’re going to make the playoffs?” he asked his “First Things First” cohosts in December.
He doubled down on his comments Monday on the show.
“Right now, and the Knicks media and Knicks fans may be upset … to earn a playoff run, we agree they would have to beat Milwaukee, Boston, Philly or Cleveland,” he said . “They can’t beat any of these teams. … I’m happy for the Knicks who are back in the prime of basketball after Ewing, which is that they’re going to be a fun first-round team, but I’m not apologizing to anyone… They’re going to make the playoffs… Does anyone at this table think the Knicks are a threat in the East?”
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