Playoff Performance Boosts Knicks
Landry Shamet had only managed to score 14 points in the first eight playoff games. However, on Friday night, he surpassed that by scoring 15 points in just one game.
This kind of performance really gave the team the boost they needed.
With OG Anunoby out due to a minor hamstring injury, Shamet seized the opportunity. The veteran contributed significantly off the bench, helping the Knicks secure a dominant 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with a 108-94 victory over the 76ers.
“Just be prepared,” Shamet mentioned. “It felt really good to be out there with my teammates. I’m happy we got the win. There’s one more thing left to do.”
Shamet’s impact off the bench was undeniable.
Mitchell Robinson also made his presence felt with six points, six rebounds, and an impressive alley-oop slam over Joel Embiid. Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado added some valuable contributions too, with Clarkson scoring four points and Alvarado pitching in as well.
In the early minutes of the fourth quarter, the Knicks’ bench had scored 25 points while holding the 76ers scoreless. This improvement in bench performance has been crucial for the team.
Last season, the Knicks relied heavily on their starters, but team president Leon Rose made a concerted effort to strengthen the bench, bringing in Clarkson during the offseason and Alvarado in February.
“As a coach, that’s what I love to see. Different players deserve opportunities at different times,” coach Mike Brown stated. “Sometimes I start a laundry, sometimes I start a laundry. But it’s all about showing trust in them and letting them know that they might be called upon at any moment.”
Shamet shone bright in this game, building on a solid regular season where he averaged 9.3 points and shot 39.2 percent from beyond the arc over 51 games. He was expected to be a key player in the playoff lineup, but struggled at first during the series against the Hawks.
When Anunoby went down with injury in the second game, it opened the door for Shamet to make his mark. He started strong, stabilizing the game when the Knicks were down by 12 points and landing a crucial 3-pointer late in the third, allowing the Knicks to push the lead to nine points. They outscored the 76ers by 20 points in only 26 minutes while he was on the court.
As the game wound down, he played a vital role in bringing the Knicks closer to clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mikal Bridges praised Shamet’s professionalism, saying, “We talked to him and we respect what he did. That’s true professionalism.”
