The New York Knicks won their visit to Indianapolis 138-129 with three of their players over thirty points.
Immanuel Quickley was one short of his career high (39 points); Quentin Grimes added 36 points and Obi Toppin finished with 32 points for the Knicks who recently clinched fifth place in the Eastern Conference and will play in the first round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Grimes is pitching with a lot of confidence,” Tom Thibodeau told ESPN. «He is flying on the ground, protecting his teammates… his confidence grows game after game. They are pitches in rhythm and that is what I like. When you play like that, things work out,” he explained.
Between Quickley, Grimes and Toppin they connected a 17 of 38 in triples; and the Knicks overall closed out the game with a remarkable 52% shooting from the field.
«Tonight Obi has run the track very well and has made some easy baskets. It’s hard to match what he can achieve. He kept playing to his strengths and his teammates’ strengths,” Thibodeau said.
In the Pacers, who did not play anything, just like the Knicks, Jalen Smith was their top scorer with 19 points; seconded by reserve TJ McConnell with 18 points and 12 assists.
“I’m running out of adjectives to describe his competitive excellence,” Rick Carlisle noted of McConnell’s game.
Both teams will close the 2022-23 regular season next Sunday at Madison Square Garden with a favorable 3-0 win for New Yorkers.
Other highlights
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined for the fifth straight game with an ankle injury and center Myles Turner missed his sixth straight with a sore left ankle and back spasms.
Gabe York played his first game with the Pacers with 9 points starting from the bench. He is a player two-way contract coming from the Fort Wayne Ants of the G League.
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson stood out under the boards with 14 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks! Mitch has been monstrous. The rebound from him has been incredible,” Thibodeau said.
Julius Randle is still out due to an ankle sprain suffered on March 29; RJ Barrett missed his second straight game due to illness and Jalen Brunson was sidelined at the last minute with problems with his right hand.
(Cover photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
