On a night when the Knicks finally added a new player to their bench, second-unit guard Cam Payne enjoyed his best performance of the season.
Payne, a former teammate of Landry Shamet in Phoenix, scored a season-high 19 points in Monday's 139-125 win over the Raptors. That included 11 points in the second quarter, when he and fellow reserve guard Miles McBride helped turn the game around.
“We came out aggressive and tried to change the pace of the game,” Payne said. “That's kind of our job, that's kind of what we do every time. We bring the pace, we bring the energy, and when we get out there it's a different kind of game.”
Payne, who averaged 7.5 points per game, made four 3-pointers in the first half.
Knicks rookie guard Tyler Kolek was named MVP of the G League Showcase after scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists to lead Westchester to the title against Sioux Falls on Sunday night in Orlando, Fla. was selected.
Kolek, who has appeared in 18 games for the Knicks this season, and fellow rookies Pacome Dadiette and Ariel Hukporti were recalled before Monday's game against the Raptors.
“What I like is [Kolek] Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Kolek, who was acquired as a second-round pick from Marquette, played in the game and made a few 3s, which was within the team concept, but his playmaking was also excellent. spoke. “I think it's a great, great accomplishment. … It's not easy for someone who has ups and downs. Tyler had a great game, but they played as a team, and that's a great accomplishment. So we have them I'm really proud of that.”
Former Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley has been out with the Raptors since November 10th due to a left elbow injury. RJ Barrett was also listed on the injury report as a questionable illness, but he joined the lineup and scored 23 points.
Barrett entered this game averaging career bests of 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
“No. 1, I'm not surprised because he's a great guy, but just considering the way he's approached his entire career,” Thibodeau said. “If you've followed his development from Duke to the pros, he's gotten a lot better every year, and he's also excelled in Toronto.
“He's doing a lot of things really well. He keeps getting better and better and that's not surprising at all.”
