Randle scores 41 factors within the Knicks’ fifth straight loss
Julius Randle had 41 factors, 11 rebounds and seven assists (his scoring document of the course), but it surely was not sufficient to beat the San Antonio Spurs who endorsed the New York Knicks for his or her fifth consecutive loss (115-112).
The Texans, led by an excellent Keldon Johnson (30 factors), had been far superior to the New Yorkers, who couldn’t rely on Jalen Brunson (hip) and RJ Barrett (proper thumb) because of harm. They outrebounded them 48-38, defended higher and shot higher (51% to 42.2%).
“One of many key factors was to be bodily as a result of they’re a really bodily group,” mentioned Gregg Popovich. “Keldon (Johnson), Stanley (Johnson) and Jeremy (Sochan) are to be counseled for main the cost in opposition to Randle. They’ve been very bodily, they’ve dedicated fouls, and so they haven’t made it straightforward for them. That made everybody else too,” he defined.
Romeo Langford had his finest NBA profession mark with 23 factors; Tre Jones had 13 factors, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and rookie Sochan completed with 12 factors.
For the Knicks, Immanuel Quickley, who began in Brunson’s place, additionally obtained his scoring document with 36 factors; to which he added 7 rebounds and seven assists on 12/27 taking pictures.
“We did not play effectively. When you do not win, the numbers imply nothing to me,” mentioned an upset Tom Thibodeau with losses to Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, Dallas and now San Antonio.
Randle’s three-pointer halfway by means of the primary quarter gave the Knicks the primary and solely lead (23-18). Since then the Spurs have turned it round and have by no means appeared again. Keldon Johnson overcame his early foul woes to hit a 12/21 shot for two blocks.
“We scored 115 factors, and that is sufficient. However we’re speaking about what’s used to win: protection, rebounding and few turnovers. That places you ready to win… When a few of your gamers fail, your margin for error is smaller. However the depth, if we do all these issues as a group, we will beat anybody,” concluded Tom Thibodeau.
Within the absence of the injured Barrett and Brunson, Miles McBride began the sport with 9 factors; and Derrick Rose (3 factors) and Evan Fournier (11 factors), who had not performed since final November, additionally acquired minutes.
Different highlights
- Julius Randle (41) and Immanuel Quickley (36) are the primary Knicks to attain not less than 35 factors in a sport since David Lee (37) and Al Harrington (36) on November 29, 2008.
- Randle has averaged 32.8 factors, 12.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 55.4% taking pictures from the sector within the final 5 video games; nevertheless, the Knicks have misplaced in all of their video games.
(Cowl photograph: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Pictures)
