The Knicks and their fans took the classy route and welcomed two popular former players to the Garden, but it was also certain to ultimately ruin the return of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. did.
Jalen Brunson scored at least 30 points in his fourth straight game, scoring 38 points and dishing out nine assists on Saturday night against the Raptors, making his words even louder during the 126-100 win over the up-and-coming Knicks. MVP” chants over and over again.
Julius Randle also recorded his first triple-double of the season (18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists), and the Knicks improved to 26-17 overall, their ninth since trading OG Anunoby along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi. The result was 2 wins and 2 losses. Flynn from Toronto, December 30th.
“RJ and Quick were amazing. I had nothing but love and respect for them,” said Tom Thibodeau. “But we're excited to have the OGs. Malachi and Precious as well.
“These are difficult decisions and both organizations must do what is best for the team.”
Anunoby enjoyed another active two-way game since his arrival, posting 14 points, three blocks and a plus-20 rating in 37 minutes. With Isaiah Hartenstein left in the third quarter with left ankle soreness, Achiuwa added 14 points, his highest since the trade.
Barrett had a team-high 20 points and Quickley had 12 points and 11 assists for the Raptors (16-27), who also traded away former All-Star big man Pascal Siakam earlier this week.
Josh Hart returned to the Knicks' rotation after missing Thursday's win over the Wizards and had 10 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.
MSG fans rose to their feet and cheered loudly when Quickley and Barrett were inserted into Toronto's starting lineup, and were again greeted with warm applause when a joint video tribute was played on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter.
Before the game, the 23-year-old Barrett said it was “obviously weird right now” to be back in New York as a visiting player, but reiterated that he would be “happy” if he received some love from his former players. Home fans.
Quickley wrote a lengthy post in The Players Tribune earlier this month, thanking Knicks fans and the organization over his three seasons in New York.
Asked if he planned to do something similar on social media, Barrett said: “Of course, but I'll post.” [Sunday]. I've been waiting for this game. ”
Quickley added that she doesn't usually get emotional, but that may change when she visits again on Saturday. “I don't cry in movies, so I don't think I'll cry much, but this one will. I'm trying not to cry,” he said.
Quickley immediately hit a 3-pointer to get his new team's first points, and an offensive board from Barrett kept the play alive.
Toronto then had possession, and Quickley returned the favor with a dunk off a feed to Barrett, and the former Knicks each made a traditional 3-point play to put the Raptors up 27-16 in the first seven minutes. built a lead.
But Brunson hit three 3-pointers in the period for 13 points, and the Knicks closed in on a 10-2 run that included treys by Randle and Hart to tie the game at 31-31.
Achiuwa put the Knicks ahead early in the second game, and Anunoby scored his first points of the game on a layup, denying Barrett's shot at the other end.
With the Knicks holding a 59-57 advantage heading into intermission, Anunoby drove the lane for another layup and sank a midrange jumper for six points.
Brunson and Randle each scored 15 points in the first half, but Barrett paced the Raptors with 15 points as well.
Brunson hit a three-ball from the corner early in the third inning, increasing the Knicks' lead to nine points.
The Knicks point guard scored nine straight Knick points late in the quarter, and Randle's two-handed dunk on Anunoby built a 14-point advantage into the final period.
