New York Knicks Ride Full Team Effort To Playoffs

(CTN News) – In their second playoff berth in three seasons, the New York Knicks have officially defied the majority of expectations placed on this Knicks team before the season started.

They beat the shorthanded Washington Wizards 118-109 on Sunday afternoon to clinch their second playoff berth in three seasons.

With an illness, RJ Barrett had to sit out of this game. It was therefore not possible for them to win the game in a clincher with both him and All-Star Julius Randle missing.

Through the efforts of the entire team, the Knicks were able to secure a spot in the postseason:

In spite of this, several Knicks were able to step up to the plate and deliver big time in order to secure the victory. In total, four Knicks players scored 20+ points in the Knicks’ game on Sunday, which was the first time this has happened in a single game for the franchise since December 1, 2018.

Quentin Grimes and Jalen Brunson were both able to reach a team-high 27 points, each scoring a team-high, and knocking down 20 field goals together for the victory.

In this game, Brunson was playing following his career-high 48-point performance against the Cavaliers on Friday, while Grimes continued to shoot well from downtown and scored 6-11 points in this contest.

The Knicks’ Obi Toppin scored a season-high 21 points in his second consecutive start in place of the injured Randle, who was wearing a walking boot on his left foot as he sat on the bench during the game.

As a spot start for Barrett, Immanuel Quickley continued his Sixth Man of the Year campaign with a 22/6/5/3 steals performance, as he once again proved that he can be relied upon when adversity strikes. He received his sixth career Sixth Man of the Year award.

All five starters of the Knicks recorded more than four assists during Sunday’s game, with seven players recording multiple assists.

Additionally, five different players on the’ roster recorded at least two steals, and four different players on the team recorded a block.

As far as testing the depth of this Knicks team goes, Sunday’s game would take the cake when it comes to this test. This was a win with everyone contributing in some way, resulting in a quality victory that almost certainly sets up a first-round playoff matchup with Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round.

With this win, the Knicks have a slim chance of clinching the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, as they need just one more win.

As long as the Knicks win or the Nets lose, they will secure their spot in the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers in a matchup that could determine their playoff seed, and if they win that game, they will be able to clinch their seed.

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