The New York Knicks lose to the Indiana Pacers 100-109. The Knicks lost the lead because the second unit ran out of steam at the end.
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The New York Knicks led for three quarters but collapsed in the fourth to lose to the Indiana Pacers 100 to 109. The Pacers seemed to take their last loss to heart, showing better defensive effort and a more aggressive offense. The Knicks struggled to stop Indiana inside but were stingy on the perimeter.
The game of runs saw New York jockey between big and small leads, for the most part. Indy would get close; then New York would steal momentum. Familiar faces from last year led the way in protecting the lead. But late in the game, the Knicks’ second unit struggled defensively and saw a slim lead collapse.
The good news is that the starters outplayed their opponent again. Sadly, the young prospects failed to seal the victory with their chances off the bench. Let’s note what went right and wrong as the regular season approaches.
Less ranged shooting but effective play anyway for the Knicks’ starters
Jalen Brunson: 11 PTS (4/14 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/4 FT), 3 AST, 8 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 30 mins
The Pacers put extra physical pressure on Jalen Brunson, hanging close so he couldn’t get shots off easily. Brunson still got himself space to fire off but never got into a rhythm and missed even his better looks. That made it difficult to tell whether he was pressing against the added attention.
On multiple occasions, I felt like he missed a read on an open shooter or cutter. Brunson would get a decent look at the expense of finding a better one. But he’s in a system with new teammates, and there’s still much to learn. His looks weren’t bad, and I usually expect them to fall.
It was more concerning that Brunson struggled to navigate screens against the crafty TJ McConnell. It’s early, but defensive issues have been on our radar since his signing happened. It’s a reminder that quality wing defenders will be important this year to help our new addition. That is absolutely a Grimes shout-out.
RJ Barrett: 21 PTS (7/14 FG, 1/5 3PT, 6/7 FT), 3 AST, 4 REB, 1 TO in 27 mins
This might have been the best I’ve ever seen RJ’s touch around the basket for an entire game. Barrett drove into traffic repeatedly and finished against contact. The rising prospect couldn’t get his jump shot to fall, but that never stopped him from getting inside to score and draw fouls.
My favorite plays from RJ were his dimes rather than his scoring. In particular, it was an early drive and kick to Julius Randle. Barrett had scored inside twice, and this time he drew the double before finding Randle open for three. We saw that same play but with the roles reversed a game prior.
I’d argue that Barrett was the best player on the floor while he played. He used his physical advantages regardless of which defender took him. We saw RJ drive past larger defensive players and power into smaller ones. For example, he bullied TJ McConnell in the post again…and it’s always sweet, as a Knicks fan, to see McConnell get picked on.
Evan Fournier: 8 PTS (3/9 FG, 2/5 3PT), 3 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 24 mins
Evan Fournier was aggressive early in this game. He tried to get his jumper activated off the dribble and from extra long distance. Unfortunately, the sharpshooter didn’t get many tough shots to fall.
But Fournier’s shooting threat did draw defenders in. The French wing took advantage by attacking off the dribble and feeding teammates some clever assists. That playmaking helped salvage a lousy shooting night and create a decent but forgettable performance.
On the other hand, this was Fournier’s worst defensive performance. I think he may have gotten a quick hook in the third quarter due to missing a rotation. Poor shooting and a weak defensive game won’t cut it to keep his starting spot.
Julius Randle: 13 PTS (5/10 FG, 3/6 3PT), 5 AST, 8 REB, 1 BLK, 2 TO in 25 mins
Julius Randle spent the first half of this game letting everything come to him. He looked fluid in the catch-and-shoot while crushing defenders in individual coverage. By allowing Brunson and RJ Barrett spark the attacks, Randle saw single coverage with time to make his moves.
As the game wore on, Randle took more time and dribbles for his attack. He was the hot hand, so this was warranted. The big man also didn’t force much, making the extra passes whenever he got crowded. But Randle’s first two turnovers of the preseason also came as he took extra time on the ball. Everything is better when he can let the offense come to him instead of creating on his own.
I also want to shout out Randle’s defense. He didn’t do anything that flew off the screen, but he’s been active all preseason. His ability to switch onto smaller defenders is a bit of secret sauce that I hope Thibodeau takes advantage of more.
Mitchell Robinson: 8 PTS (3/5 FG, 2/2 FT), 8 REB, 4 BLK, 2 TO in 23 mins
The numbers don’t do Mitchell Robinson’s performance justice. He took over the interior at both ends of the court for the third quarter. His presence on both sides, despite this game’s torrid pace, is a testament to the shape that he’s in. Mitch would block a shot at one end, then make it back in time to get position and grab an offensive board.
Mitch punished Indiana for sending its bigs to deny players at the rim. Ball handlers rarely found Robinson, but he cleaned up after their misses with six offensive boards. He also had Myles Turner in foul trouble throughout their time matched up.
We haven’t gotten many new wrinkles to Mitchell Robinson’s game. But he’s in great shape,, allowing him to do everything he’s done well over the years more consistently.
The youth takes the keys and crashes in the final minutes
Immanuel Quickley: 12 PTS (4/18 FG, 2/7 3PT, 2/3 FT), 3 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL, 1 TO in 24 mins
After two promising performances, Immanuel Quickley suffered a letdown in this game. That’s not because his shot was off but because his shot selection was awful. He’d displayed a great feel for when to pass and when to attack in previous outings.
Part of the issue was that McBride and Hartenstein were reluctant to shoot at times. But IQ also missed several open players while seeking foul calls or forced tough shots. Quickley spent too much time meandering on the perimeter or playing hot potato with those reluctant shooters.
IQ ran an okay offense but never truly took command. To make matters worse, this was his weakest defensive performance. But we’ll keep the “this was just one game” mindset for Quick. I still expect big things from him, and it’s better to calibrate his shot now before things count.
Deuce McBride: 2 PTS (1/6 FG, 0/3 3PT), 1 AST, 2 REB, 1 TO in 18 mins
Miles McBride has got to do more to be an offensive threat before he can confidently crack the rotation. The sophomore’s jump shot continued to miss while he failed to create off the dribble for anyone else. He never felt like the secondary ball-handler Immanuel Quickley sorely needed in this game.
On the bright side, Deuce’s off-ball defense is always a treat. He presses defensive assignments like a defensive back on a wide receiver. But his offense has to improve for Tom Thibodeau to take advantage of the sophomore’s fantastic defense.
Cam Reddish: 10 PTS (3/10 FG, 1/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 1 AST, 3 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO in 21 mins
It’s crazy how seeing the ball go through the hoop once activated Cam Reddish. There’s something there, but he is frustratingly inconsistent. Reddish looked listless and lost, forcing multiple bad shots throughout the first three quarters. He wasn’t much better defensively, missing rotations a few times.
Then Reddish knocked down a three-pointer in the fourth quarter and immediately snapped into gear. Reddish picked up multiple steals, chased rebounds, and actively sought the ball on offense. He attacked off the dribble and flashed his potential once again.
The problem for Reddish is that he’s running out of time. Those flashes aren’t enough to earn minutes over the guys ahead of him in the rotation. But it only took that fourth quarter for Reddish to remind us that he’s got plenty of upside if his game comes together.
Obi Toppin: 8 PTS (4/7 FG, 0/3 3PT), 2 REB, 1 STL in 23 mins
Obi Toppin entered the game and immediately picked up a steal and fast-break dunk. He dunked twice in each half, including a face-up drive from the perimeter. But he didn’t do enough between highlight reel dunks, and his stat line reflects as much.
That’s not to say that Toppin wasn’t impressive. But Obi’s lack of rebounding loomed large over multiple sections of this game. He also missed all of his three-point attempts. Toppin is still incredibly promising, but he can’t earn extra minutes without providing more than fast break scoring.
Isaiah Hartenstein: 7 PTS (2/4 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 5 AST, 10 REB, 2 TO in 23 mins
Isaiah Hartenstein turned a quiet first half around by operating from the top of the key for most of his third and fourth quarters. It was fun to watch Hartenstein pull a big away from the basket and direct players into the space created. Our stretch big can thread the needle with perfectly timed bounce passes for dimes.
Hartenstein wasn’t just impressive for directing traffic, either. His work on the boards kept that second unit afloat. No one else off the bench grabbed more than three rebounds, while Hart was grabbing defensive boards and throwing outlet passes for dunks.
If there’s one early letdown, it’s been the big man’s rim protection. He’s been overpowered or caught off balance on multiple occasions in each game. But I’ll chalk it up to adjusting to a new defensive scheme before I worry too much.
Bringing the young guys up to speed with Tom Thibodeau
I sometimes tune Tom Thibodeau out because he’s a bit predictable with his wise adages about effort and sharing. But Thibodeau ripped into the second unit’s rebounding and the entire team’s defense after Indiana. I was all ears for that. I also think Thibodeau’s message was mainly focused on Obi Toppin, who can be an incredible player if those aspects of his game catch up with his scoring.
Thibs would have benched some of those back-ups early on a normal night and stuck with starters. But he let IQ, Hart, and Cam try to fight through it. Deuce McBride got valuable time in a close competition. Obi may have slipped up in his secondary statistics, but I bet he’ll have a field day in the film room.
So this continues a preseason in which Thibodeau is earning just a little more faith from me. His offensive schemes are still too simple for my taste, but Thibs’ rotation and defensive planning look good through three games.
Closing thoughts
Each preseason game, we start by telling ourselves that “it’s just the preseason.” That’s true for the wins and losses alike. New York’s bench is supposed to be a strength, but it got beaten up in this game. However, the lessons our young second unit can take from this game are precisely why preseason exists.
Cam Reddish won’t have time to turn around a poor performance and show promise when the games matter. IQ and McBride won’t get to feel the intensity of a close game down the stretch if they’re not producing. Likewise, Hartenstein won’t discover a rival in Goga Bitadze.
We can just sit back and relax because the starters look good. Derrick Rose and Quentin Grimes will do wonders for the rotation. In addition, the young guys that struggled today will be better prepared if their numbers are called in the future. Games like this are what preseason is all about.
The Knicks have one more preseason game, and I suspect we’ll see even fewer minutes from the starters. That means more learning opportunities for everyone and hopefully a big cameo from Quentin Grimes. I’ll see you after Friday Night Knicks of the ’22/’23 schedule, Knicks fam!
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