New York Knicks secure playoff spot with fourth consecutive win
On Sunday night, the New York Knicks secured a playoff spot by defeating the Washington Wizards 118-109, with both Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes contributing 27 points to the victory. In addition, Immanuel Quickley scored 22 points and Obi Toppin scored 21, helping the Knicks win their fourth consecutive game and earning a playoff spot for the second time in three years after a seven-year drought.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged that making the playoffs is a significant achievement, but emphasized that it's only one of many steps in their journey. "It's important to keep checking off the boxes," he said. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson chipped in with eight points and 11 rebounds as the Knicks won their second consecutive game without their All-Star forward, Julius Randle, who is out with a sprained left ankle.
Thibodeau further commented that when a player is sidelined, it presents an opportunity for another player to step up and deliver results. This, in turn, boosts the team's morale and confidence. He believes that having reliable bench players gives the Knicks quality depth and makes them a formidable team to face.
Washington's Corey Kispert set a new personal best with 29 points, while Johnny Davis scored 16 and Taj Gibson contributed 14. In the second quarter, the Knicks fell behind by as many as 10 points, and at halftime, they trailed 61-53. The Wizards widened their lead to 64-55 before the Knicks responded with a 14-4 run to regain the lead, which they held on to until the end of the game.
Brunson commented that they needed a wake-up call during halftime, and the coach provided it, resulting in a response from the team. As Brunson stated, it's better to learn from wins than from losses. In the third quarter, New York extended its lead to 86-79, and Toppin began the final quarter with a 3-pointer, which gave the Knicks their first double-digit lead.
According to Quickley, as you approach the end of a game, it's important to perform at your highest level. Each player should strive to play exceptionally well in order to contribute to the team's success. He expressed satisfaction in seeing Obi and QG play exceptionally well and get significant playing time. As the team enters the final stretch, it's crucial for everyone to step up and play their best. Despite their efforts, the Wizards failed to narrow the gap beyond eight points for the remainder of the game.
With 2:38 remaining in the game, Brunson's floater helped the New York team secure their most significant lead of 20 points, making it 114-94. Earlier in the game, the Knicks were leading 36-31 in the second quarter when the Wizards made a remarkable 17-2 comeback run. They managed to gain a 48-38 lead after Deni Avdija's successful 3-pointer with 7:41 left in the quarter. Additionally, Jordan Goodwin and Kendrick Nunn contributed 11 points each to the Wizards' efforts.