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The Knicks played one phenomenal half of basketball Wednesday night against the Pacers. Sadly, it was the first half, and the Pacers are a good basketball team that knows how to make adjustments.
The Knicks carried a 66-61 lead into halftime, but the mood soured at the break when it was announced that rookie Immanuel Quickley would miss the remainder of the game after suffering a hip pointer.
Quickley's got like 50lbs of ice on his hip. Apparently it's a hip pointer and he's out for the rest of the game pic.twitter.com/nFVAb1TCi6
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) December 24, 2020
Quickley took over for ineffective starting PG Elfrid Payton early and provided a spark once again for the Knicks. Once Quickley left the game, it was all downhill from there. Elf was virtually unplayable, and the Knicks’ offensive stalled big-time.
The biggest saving grace throughout was the strong play of RJ Barrett. The second-year man looked like an All-Star in the first half, dropping 20 points on a perfect 8-8 shooting. He would only finish 11-15 for 26 points, however — as if that’s bad — to go along with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and just 1 turnover.
RJ Barrett is a bully pic.twitter.com/rHfOhY6Nn3
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) December 24, 2020
Point RJ is in effect with Quickley hurt, and he dimes up Bullock pic.twitter.com/Xn5xJhvrU4
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) December 24, 2020
RJ's now 9-9 for 22 points
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) December 24, 2020
I hope all those writers that didn't give him an All-Rookie nod feel foolish. Shouts to @NYPost_Berman for always fighting the good fight pic.twitter.com/MlPYJLv46q
Obi Toppin had a weird night, finishing 3-12 from the field — though a very nice 3-7 from beyond the arc — and threw an absolute dime to RJ.
Obi to RJ in transition oh my goodness pic.twitter.com/W0erbLXGqm
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) December 24, 2020
Julius Randle played a tremendous first half of team basketball, but mostly reverted to his usual bullshit as the Pacers pulled away.
Alex will have the recap. Have a good weekend.