Shamet’s Return Sparks Knicks’ Victory
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Landry Shamet’s presence on the court served as a reminder of what the Knicks have been lacking during his absence.
After missing five games due to a knee contusion, Shamet returned to play 31 minutes in the Knicks’ 130-119 victory over the Grizzlies. He showcased his typical tough defense and contributed 13 points, hitting 3-of-5 from three-point range.
During the time Shamet was on the floor, the Knicks outscored the Grizzlies by 13 points. Coach Mike Brown expressed his enthusiasm about having Shamet back in the lineup.
“He’s definitely one of our top on-ball defenders,” Brown noted, emphasizing that without Shamet, the team’s record slipped to two wins and three losses. “He’s particularly strong with ball screens and dribble handoffs. His physicality is impactful. Plus, his pace creates space for others on offense. When he’s hitting a couple of threes, it gives everyone a confidence boost. We needed that, especially considering his size.”
Shamet himself seemed pleased with his performance but acknowledged the fatigue that often comes with returning to game action.
“I was feeling a bit worn out by the end,” he admitted. “You can maintain your fitness, but there’s nothing like the actual game. It’s another level of rehab, just getting those game reps and regaining your legs. I felt great overall, but yeah, a little heavier towards the end, and that’s alright.”
Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges extended his impressive streak to 633 consecutive games, surpassing Andre Miller for the eighth-longest in NBA history. Remarkably, all previous players on that list had their streaks in the 1980s or earlier.
Bridges is now eyeing the seventh spot held by Harry Gallatin, who played 682 straight games before retiring in 1958. “Hopefully, one day I’ll have kids, and I’ll be proud to tell them about this,” said Bridges.
On the other hand, Miles McBride took a couple of nights off to manage his workload after a disappointing outing where he went 1-for-9 in a loss to the Rockets. He’s slowly bouncing back from sports hernia surgery but has struggled recently, shooting 1-of-12 in his two games back.
Brown expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall effort. “If he’s open, I want him to shoot,” he said of McBride. “I told him it doesn’t matter if he’s 0-for-15; I just want him to be aggressive.” Brown also highlighted McBride’s impressive block of a three-point shot against the Rockets, indicating there’s more potential to be unlocked.
“I’ve never seen anyone block a three-point shot like that. He jumps so high, it gives him an advantage,” Brown said, emphasizing that he wants McBride to play freely and confidently.
