The wings once again showed why the Knicks were floating without Jalen Branson.
OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges made their comeback on Sunday evening and Sunday evening for the Knicks, who defeated the Blazers after double digits in the third quarter.
The Bridges dropped 21 of their 28 points in the second half, finishing 22-12 from the field.
Anunoby followed a 28-point effort on Friday with 28. He has scored at least 23 points in his last six games.
Their attacks compensated for a night off from Karl Anthony Towns.
Anunoby and Bridge also revealed that they missed 12 straight wins with ankle sprain, but have resumed their “basketball activities” with the goal of returning to the playoffs.
The Knicks (47-27), who scored a playoff spot and approached a lockup for the third seed, improved to 7-5 without Branson.
Josh Hart flirted with another triple double with 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
The Knicks turned the tide in the third quarter and started a 22-7 run to take a one-point lead towards the fourth quarter.
The end of the first half was a struggle for the Knicks.
After leading 10 with about five minutes remaining in the second quarter, Portland made a 20-3 run and entered the break with an eight-point deficit.
It reached 14 in the third quarter.
Before that, the Knicks were rolling.
Their highlight sequence was an early second quarter rejection from town. This gave Achiuwa a resilient in the air above the defender, leading self-destruction due to finger rolls and a 7-point advantage.
The Knicks were making the move again with point guard. Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride and Cam Payne were all injured.
Delon Wright (7 points, 35 minutes) then made his second straight start and backed up Tyler Kolek (0 points, 14 minutes).
The Knicks finally performed the Blazers in Portland a few weeks ago. There, Bridges hit the biggest shot of New York's career.
The contest was also held without Branson. Branson spoke to the media on Sunday for the first time since he sprained his ankle, revealing that he was cleared in “basketball activities.”
The Blazers (32-43) are still racing for a play-in spot, but for all intents and purposes, they are watching the draft lottery again.
Anunoby and Bridges went further that path on Sunday.
