It wasn't just a revenge game for OG Anunoby, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
The other milestone in this blockbuster trade erupted in the Knicks' 126-100 victory over the Raptors on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the first time the two teams met since the trade.
Knicks center Precious Achiuwa came off the bench and had 18 points (a season high for both teams), 11 rebounds and one block in 25 minutes.
His 25 minutes was also a season high.
He went a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the floor.
Achiuwa's arrival is more than just a footnote, he could now become extremely important.
Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein, who has filled in admirably since Mitchell Robinson was sidelined with an ankle injury, left Saturday's game in the third quarter with ankle soreness and did not return.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau didn't provide much of an update on Hartenstein after the game.
“I'm just playing the game, you know what I mean? I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary,” Achiuwa later said. “I approach the game the same way every day and play the same way. Same intensity. Today just happened to be a day where things went my way.”
Achiuwa helped the Knicks win with a 61-31 rebounding advantage.
Four of Achiuwa's rebounds were offensive, giving the Knicks a 15-11 lead.
His plus-13 is in line with Hartenstein, meaning the Knicks wouldn't be down at all with Achiuwa on the floor.
“You just want to build every day. I think he played hard,” Thibodeau said of Achiuwa. “I think the extra game time has helped him and he knows his opponents better, but he just has to go in there every day and play his best. Then good things will come from it.”
Achiuwa is more than just a throw-in for the Knicks, he plays a valuable role as the team's backup center.
The Knicks are stretched thin at this position and cannot afford to lose Hartenstein. Jericho Sims is the only option unless Thibodeau chooses to play small ball.
Achiuwa has averaged 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.7 minutes off the bench since arriving with the Knicks on Saturday.
His previous highest score with the team was seven points on January 11, when the Knicks lost to the Mavericks.
Achiuwa averaged 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game this year for the Raptors.
“It felt a little weird playing against them, especially the Scotties.” [Barnes],Chris [Boucher]” said Achiuwa. “It was a little strange playing against them, but the important thing is to win the game.”
