Knicks small forward RJ Barrett helped provide a big lift to New York in a must-win Game 5 effort, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
Lewis notes that Barrett has been the Knicks’ most consistent contributor in their ongoing series against the Heat, aside from star point guard Jalen Brunson. Barrett is averaging 22.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG in the series.
Barrett scored 26 points while shooting 8-of-17 from the floor in the Game 5 win. He also helped defend Miami’s star small forward Jimmy Butler.
“I thought [All-Star power forward Julius Randle] and RJ were terrific,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said following the game.
There’s more out of New York:
- Thibodeau also had high praise for Brunson, who scored 38 points while playing all 48 minutes of the Knicks’ eventual 112-103 victory over the Heat Wednesday, per Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter links). “I’ve never seen anyone work the way he does,” Thibodeau said. “What can you say about the guy? He’s just incredible.”
- Brunson’s colleague, Quentin Grimes, also played all 48 minutes in the victory, in his second start of the series, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. Grimes served as the team’s primary defender against Butler, and he held the 2023 All-NBA Second Teamer under 20 points for the first time in the playoffs so far. “He’s probably been the best player of the playoffs so far,” Grimes said. “So knowing I have that matchup every night, I have to be more disciplined and probably have to play 48… Forty eight or 25, it really doesn’t matter to me. I’ve just got to make sure I’m locked in on him defensively and try to do whatever I can to slow him down.”
- The Knicks have announced (Twitter link) that guard Immanuel Quickley is doubtful to suit up for Game 6 due to a sprained left ankle, while reserve center Jericho Sims will miss yet another contest as he continues to recover from a right shoulder surgery. Quickley was initially listed as doubtful for Games 4 and 5 before being ruled out.
Thibs out there coaching like it’s the 60s…
Against General Soreness as well…
I saw Mitch and Hartenstein open at least 8-10 times. For dunks after picks and sliding down low. No one gave them the ball. It’s like they don’t look for easy shots. Look to three point line only. Randle, Brunson, RJ all were guilty of it. Thibs offense …….
When did we go from throwing it down low for a layup. To throwing it out high for a 23.9 foot shot (22 feet in corners). Insane
RJ leads Knicks in playoffs 3PT shooting .345%, next is Jalen at .30%, then Quickley at .243% ……. That speaks volumes
And thru all this our best shooter sits and watches the gm.
Knicks get eliminated tonight!
They showed a lot of fight against Cavs. Time to man up. We’ll see.
One Al, their best shooter, not our best shooter. When did we, you mean they.
Look, I’m a Knicks fan too, and this may be a jerk comment, but I hate when anyone refers to their team as if they play for them or something.
Now that I am done my rant, who is the best shooter sitting on the bench? Please don’t tell me you mean Fournier. Guy hasn’t played in months, and whatever additional shooting they may get from him is offset by his terrible defence.
I 100% agree with you about taking the easy buckets when they’re available. That said, they’re in the second round playing against a team and coach with a playoff pedigree who just knocked off the championship favorite Bucks. They’re also here even with Randle having a terrible playoffs so far. With plenty of trade assets to make a larger deal this offseason, I’m pretty happy with this season, even if they go out tonight.
Any real fan plays with them every gm lol. That’s the level of a NY fan. When you need shooting you use what you got. It’s the playoffs. He should have been playing already, is the point. Yes his D is an issue. Don’t mean he can’t give us 15-20 mins. If you lack shooting. Then Thibs should have found a way to use him.
Dude we weren’t suppose to beat the Cavs. So you get here. You go for it with what you got.
I love Thibs but hate his offense. Not a Randle guy either. Every playoff team especially a contender. Should be able to mix their offense up. Pick nbroll, triangle. Warriors offense. Move the ball, run. Back door them. All iso does. When it’s all you do. Is make it easier for Heat to play D. Playoff teams are smart. You need more than talent.
I’d move Randle next yr. Thibs will never do it. I said last yr. He may go down with Randle. I’m the only sane Knick fan on this syte. And I know ball and this team as well as Anyone ….
I know we are still rebuilding . Year three and counting.
Yeah, no Fournier. Even if Quickley is still out and Grimes is out with that injury he suffered in the final minute, they could rotate Deuce in to spell Brunson, Hart, and Barrett.
Thibs has done a great job with this squad. Brining it back to MSG Monday night. Randle finally showed up in a playoff game last game. Need 30 from him tonight.
Glad to see RJ step up in the last few games, with Brunson and Randle not 100%. I like him, but have concerns. Some good showings for a 22 years old being forced into an expanded role in Round 2 of the playoffs, particularly coming of an uneven year. Game 5 was the best of him, at least of the current version.
Grimes, as I’ve indicated on many ocassions, is a vital piece for spacing, as well as defense, and if IQ is out again, I expect another big minute game from him.
Randle and Brunson are both compromised physically. But Brunson has found a way to play through it and be effective. Randle hasn’t really, despite some moments. In fairness his game doesn’t really take to it. I’d like to see him sit out. IDK, though, as Toppin isn’t reliable, and Randle’s energy level comes and goes. Still, G5 he had 3 defensive rebounds. Randle is up and down on almost everything, but not that. He’s been a dominant defensive rebounder his entire career. A bad game for him is usually in the 6-7 range.