SALT LAKE CITY — Now that quarterback Daniel Jones has been released by the Giants, the nickname “Dimes” has become commonplace in New York, and maybe even in other sports for an entire team.
It's been 30 years since the start of the 1994-95 season since the Knicks recorded at least 30 assists in three consecutive games, and nearly 15 years since they did at least four in a row.
Tom Thibodeau's new offensive powerhouse will look to keep the ball moving and, more importantly, keep moving in the second game of a five-game road trip against the Jazz on Saturday.
He hasn't reached 30 assists in four straight tournaments since seven games in a row in the 1979-80 season.
“The more we play together, the more we open up to each other,” All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson said. “It's taking time, but we're still making progress.”
Brunson had 36 points and 10 dimes in Wednesday's game against Phoenix, marking his third straight game with double-digit assists for the second time in his career.
They also recorded three consecutive wins in April last season.
Brunson currently ranks ninth in the NBA with a career-high 7.3 assists per game in a 9-6 start against the Knicks, including 9.5 assists per game during their current four-game winning streak. Also includes assists.
Not since the first three games of the 1994-95 season has a Knicks team recorded more than 30 assists in three consecutive games.
With 100 assists during that span, the Knicks moved into ninth place in the league with 27.7 assists per game as of Friday's game.
Their 33.3 points per game would be more than the NBA leaders this season, the Warriors, who averaged 30.5 points in their first 14 games.
“Obviously, the offense is playing well,” said Josh Hart, who ranks second on the team with a career-high 5.9 assists per game. “We're hitting good shots. We're getting some stops. When we get some stops, we're able to run and push and get quick and easy stops. We're in a really good rhythm offensively. I can ride it.”
If anything, coach Tom Thibodeau's team needs to shine defensively, ranking 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions at 115.6.
By contrast, the Knicks' offensive rating was 122.1 points per 100, second in the league behind the league-best Cavaliers through Thursday's game.
Brunson and All-Star import big man Karl-Anthony Towns also become the first guards and centers to average at least 25 points each since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal did it with the Lakers in 2002-03. The tandem team is riding the momentum as much as possible.
The Knicks' five starters (also including OG Anunoby and rookie Mikal Bridges) combine to score 99.5 points per game.
And top bench contributors Miles McBride and Cam Payne are chipping in at 18.9 points, even though both reserve guards have missed games recently with injuries.
The Knicks, who lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.24), have played well as starters in each of their past two wins, scoring over 40 points in the first quarter in both games against the Wizards and Suns.
And for the first time since 1988, he scored at least 130 points in back-to-back games.
“I think the players are starting to get used to playing each other,” Thibodeau said after the Phoenix game. “Every game, you can see what they see. They read the game very well.
“I think they're creating good space and they're cutting really well. It opens up the floor and we're playing into space and everyone's unselfish.”
“So, I think 30 assists is amazing.”
