Tonight’s game between the New York Knicks (14-9) and the Toronto Raptors (7-17) was significant for a few reasons: it was the only NBA contest on tonight’s schedule, it marked OG Anunoby’s first return to Scotiabank Arena after playing there for six-and-a-half seasons, and it was the first game this season in which the Knicks had their entire roster available—except for Mitchell Robinson.
The first half saw the Knicks start strong with a 17-6 first-quarter run, fueled by Jalen Brunson’s leadership and sharp shooting. However, the Raptors stormed back with a dominant 19-7 second-quarter surge to take a 61-60 lead at halftime. RJ Barrett led Toronto with 17 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the Knicks with 10 points and eight rebounds despite foul trouble. The Knicks struggled with turnovers in the third quarter, committing six overall and merely treading water heading into the fourth. In the final frame, New York’s shooting stars made the difference, and in a wild finish, they rode a 12-4 run to secure a 113-108 victory.
Quoth PlinyTheWelder: “Great game. KAT is so good.” How good? He played tough defense on RJ Barrett and sank the defining dagger at the game’s end. KAT finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, two steals, two blocks, and shot 7-of-13.
Mikal Bridges (23 points, 5-of-8 3PT) and Anunoby (14 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals) both logged 41 tough minutes. Jalen Brunson shook off a second-half ankle injury to finish with 20 points and 11 assists. Josh Hart had a quiet 10-point, four-rebound game. From the bench, Precious Achiuwa, Miles McBride, and Cameron Payne combined for 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.
For the Canadians, OAKAAK RJ Barrett posted 30 points, eight boards, four assists, and a steal on 13-of-24 shooting, and Ja’Kobe Walter had the game of his career, scoring 19 points from the bench.
First Half
The score teetered back and forth through the first quarter until the Knicks went on a 12-4 run to take a 27-25 lead over the Raptors with 1:51 left in the period. They finished the quarter on a 17-6 stretch, carrying a 34-27 advantage into the second quarter. By that point in the game, the Knicks had already recorded over eight assists. Here, Jalen Brunson dished the shiniest of dimes to Precious Achiuwa:
Brunson, the captain, showcased his leadership skills, scoring nine points on 100% shooting. Off the bench, Miles “Deuce” McBride matched his career-high with three first-quarter assists. The Knicks shot an impressive 80% from three-point range. RJ Barrett led Toronto with eight points.
Early in the second quarter, OG Anunoby recorded his 250th career block. Here he and fellow former Raptor Precious Achiuwa connect for the score:
The Raptors mounted a 9-0 run to cut the Knicks’ lead to 53-51. Ochai Agbaji assisted on three baskets during the run, while the Knicks missed three consecutive shots.
The home squad closed the second quarter on a 19-7 run to ride a 61-60 lead into halftime. RJ Barrett paced Toronto with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting, while Ja’Kobe Walter set a career high with 14 points in the first half. Jakob Poeltl contributed six rebounds.
For New York, Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 10 points and eight rebounds but found himself in foul trouble with four infractions. The Knicks shot 52.4% from the field and racked up 17 assists. OG Anunoby added two blocks, while McBride chipped in six points off the bench.
Second Half
In the first half, the Knicks were disciplined with turnovers, committing only three. However, they opened the third quarter with three quick turnovers and surrendered back-to-back triples to Scottie Barnes. Midway through the quarter, play stalled as Barnes twisted his ankle after colliding with Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving both players injured. While KAT had been managing knee tendinopathy, his ankle seemed to be the issue tonight. Despite their injuries, both players stayed in the game.
Here’s Anunoby showing Toronto the skills they remember:
Neither team showed much defensive effort, and without stops, the Knicks failed to gain ground. Worse, they committed six turnovers in the quarter—and even worse, with a minute left, Jalen Brunson stepped on a courtside fan’s foot and had to leave for treatment. Toronto stayed in control heading into the fourth quarter, 86-83.
Two minutes into the fourth, Mikal Bridges drained a triple to tie the game, and Brunson returned to the bench shortly after. When Cam Payne scored on a fast break, the Knicks reclaimed their first lead in nearly 30 points.
New York still couldn’t string together stops, but back-to-back triples from Josh Hart and KAT gave them a slim advantage. The Raptors capitalized on Knicks’ mistakes to take a three-point lead, but Jalen Brunson erased it with a clutch four-point play. Three minutes remained, and despite his injury, Brunson showed no signs of slowing. A costly Knicks turnover led to a Davion Mitchell bucket, but Bridges answered with another long bomb. Fittingly, it was RJ Barrett who fought for a rebound and scored on a tough drive, logging his 30th point to tie the game with 42 seconds left.
Out of a timeout, Brunson threaded a perfect pass to KAT under the basket to put the Knicks up by two with 36 seconds remaining. In a pivotal moment, OG Anunoby blocked a Barrett drive after being held back by KAT—and then Towns drained a dagger to seal the deal and a cap a 12-4 run. Ball game.
Notes
Jericho Sims was a DNP - Coach’s Decision tonight, and played only six minutes in Saturday’s loss to Detroit.
32 assists for New York, their fifth-most of the season.
RJ Barrett now has 14 games of 20+ this season, with seven of 30 or more.
With that big fourth quarter shot, Josh Hart reached 600 career three-pointers.
Pacôme Dadiet scored 19 points six rebounds off the bench in yesterday’s win for the Westchester Knicks.
Up Next
Our heroes head home to play the NBA Emirates Cup quarter-final against the Hawks. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
Box Score