Recap: RJ Barrett Wills Knicks Comeback, Conquering Grizzlies in Overtime - The Knicks Wall

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RJ Barrett’s fourth-quarter heroics, Julius Randle’s sixth triple-double key as Knicks overcome 13-point deficit to defeat the Grizzlies.

The New York Knicks (26-27) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (26-24) by a final score of 133-129. For New York, Julius Randle finished with his sixth triple-double of the season—15 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. At the same time, R.J. Barrett shined, finishing with 20 points, 15 points between the fourth quarter and overtime, including a coast-to-coast finish to send the game into extended time. For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant finished with 26 points and six assists while Desmond Bane finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and three made threes. 

What a huge win for the New York Knicks.

The win, however, almost turned into a Grizzlies blowout. Elfrid Payton knocked down a three, then Memphis answered by scoring the next 11 points. Payton got his second foul shortly after and was replaced with Derrick Rose. New York began to score with Rose on the floor, but the defense remained slow, allowing the Grizzlies to get any shot they wanted, thanks to Kyle Anderson, Bane, and Dillon Brooks.

Brooks was a bit more advantageous with his drives, while Bane was more meticulous in cutting and working off screens to find outside shots. Anderson, nicknamed “Slow Mo,” did well operating the offense and making proper hockey assists for made baskets. That trio gave New York fits in the first half as they went into the break down nine points. 

But the second half saw the Knicks do what they always do—fight back. Barrett, who had just one made basket in the first half, got aggressive in attacking the paint. Randle, who had four points in the first half and didn’t make his first field goal until the third quarter, began to operate and orchestrate the offense. For a brief moment, the Knicks showed life. 

Ja Morant, quiet in the first half, got active in the second half. Morant finished with a couple of nice drives, leading to some easy looks under the basket for Jonas Valanciunas to finish. When he wasn’t dishing it off to teammates, the former Murray State star did what he does best—putting pressure on the rim. After making four threes earlier, Morant attacked New York’s defense, and it worked, as Morant finished with 14 points in the third quarter. 

But then we got the R.J. Barrett show. 15 points between the fourth quarter and overtime. Tonight, the former third-overall pick looked like a star.

While he struggled all night to get his shot, Barrett assumed a larger role in the offense. We mentioned the coast-to-coast finish, but it was his transition attacks that impressed. Barrett turned into a bowling ball, dashing up the floor and forcing a Memphis defender to get between him in the basket and using his strength and craftiness at the rim to keep Memphis at bay.

“We love playing at home, we got the best fans in the world” #PROTECTTHEGARDEN pic.twitter.com/gMxwYfIOaq

— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) April 10, 2021

In overtime, Barrett continued to carry the Knicks, but a friend assisted along the way. Alec Burks, quiet for most of the game, heated up with nine points in OT to get the Knicks the victory. Barrett was great, Burks was great, Immanuel Quickley had a surprising night, and Randle’s triple-double capped off an impressive comeback win for the New York Knicks.

Game Notes

• Rest In Peace to Earl “DMX” Simmons. A true hip-hop superstar and one of the artists that started my journey into rap music fandom. We will miss you.
• The Grizzlies: a nice, modern, active offense with a couple of good shooters in Bane and Brooks, several multi-faceted big men (Xavier Tillman Sr., Brandon Clarke, Anderson, Jaren Jackson Jr.), and Morant running the show at the lead guard spot. Consider me a fan. 
• Since the injury of Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have been a tire fire on the offensive glass. Nerlens Noel is slender, allowing bigger post players to establish position rather easily, while Taj Gibson is older, which allows more active big men to harass him. I know Norvel Pelle and John Henson are emergency bigs, but throw Pelle out there and see if something can change because the Knicks are struggling.
• I like what the rookies offered tonight. It starts with Quickley (20 points, 4-of-6 from three), who picked up the slack as Randle struggled. His ability to shoot off the dribble and keep the defense honest was huge. While he didn’t play much in the second half, Obi Toppin (eight points, six rebounds) played hard, got some good finishes at the rim, and even set some solid screens. As the Knicks try to get off the losing streak and shift towards the playoffs, both players will be key. 

The Knicks remain at home to face the Toronto Raptors (20-32) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, April 11th. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.

Related Content

»READ: How RJ Barrett has progressed into a keeper for the Knicks

»READ: What we learned from the “Point RJ” Barrett experiment

»READ: What’s the verdict on Obi Toppin?

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Recap: RJ Barrett Wills Knicks Comeback, Conquering Grizzlies in Overtime - The Knicks Wall
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