Considered one of Tom Thibodeau’s main goals via the primary two preseason video games has been to learn the way his $104 million new level guard, Jalen Brunson, suits in with the Knicks’ first unit.
One other has been affording some prolonged minutes to a few returning younger gamers, resembling Obi Toppin, to find out in the event that they deserve elevated rotation consideration off the bench.
Brunson posted his second straight efficient efficiency and Toppin dunked and fired his strategy to a 24-point recreation with an acrobatic second-half show to entrance the Knicks to a different preseason victory, 131-114, Friday night time over the Pacers on the Backyard.
“Having Jalen units the tone for the motion, and to me, the primary job of the purpose guard is controlling the sport and maintaining us organized,” Thibodeau stated after the sport. “And Obi brings life in all the pieces he does. He walks within the constructing and there’s a bounce to him.
“He energizes the crew and you'll feed off of that. I believe when he’s enjoying protection and getting out, we play quick. All the pieces is quick with him.”
Toppin, the Knicks’ first-round draft decide in 2020, principally has seen restricted minutes in his first two seasons because the crew’s backup energy ahead behind 2021 All-Star Julius Randle.
However he heard a number of chants of his identify from the house crowd within the second half after executing a highlight-reel dunk between his legs within the third quarter, and once more after throwing down three extra jams — plus two 3-pointers — within the fourth.
“That is Madison Sq. Backyard, so it’s by no means going to get outdated,” Toppin stated of the chants.
On the third-quarter dunk, Toppin stated he didn’t understand that Pacers guard T.J. McConnell was closing on him and inside placing distance of knocking the ball free earlier than the reigning NBA dunk champion slid it between his legs and flushed it house.
“Hell yeah, I higher not miss it,” Toppin stated. “I inform you, I noticed McConnell down there after I already put it via my legs. I’m like, ‘Please don’t hit the ball out of my palms.’ That is whereas I’m doing the dunk. I’m like please don’t hit it. However nah, if I do it I’m going to make it. I’ve received to make it. There’s no lacking.
“I noticed him standing there, I’m like, sheesh, I hope he don’t hit this ball. I used to be capable of make it and that’s all that issues.”
RJ Barrett netted 16 of his 18 factors within the first half, Brunson and Immanuel Quickley every scored 17 and Randle completed with 15 for the Knicks, who will journey to Indiana for his or her third preseason recreation on Wednesday.
Cam Reddish notably began rather than capturing guard Evan Fournier, who was rested, however he managed simply two factors on 1-for-7 capturing in 22 minutes.
Barrett netted 11 factors within the first 9 minutes, and Derrick Rose (seven factors in 12 minutes) shimmied to the rim twice for buckets late within the first quarter, though the Knicks trailed by 5 getting into the second.
Toppin, who completed 4-for-7 from 3-point vary, and Miles McBride every nailed a few photographs from lengthy vary to assist construct a 72-54 lead into intermission. The Knicks maintained a 15-point cushion into the ultimate quarter, when Toppin additional placed on a present for the house crowd.
“He’s a enjoyable participant, man,” Barrett stated. “That’s one man you come to look at. He’s actually enjoyable on the market. I nonetheless don’t perceive how he will get these leak-out dunks each second. He actually does run the ground and he’s making his photographs now.
“Going into 12 months 3, he seems to be a lot extra poised. He’s actually been engaged on his recreation so we’re pleased to have him.”
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