First Aid: New York Knicks Survive Life Without Mitchell Robinson, Take Down Toronto Raptors
The New York Giants partook in one of the NFL's latest stagings of "Monday Night Football," but the most vital three-point field goals in the metropolitan area didn't require kicking ... even if Big Blue used a victorious triple to take down the Green Bay Packers.
Behind a season-best scoring effort, the New York Knicks survived the first stage of life without Mitchell Robinson, taking down the Toronto Raptors 136-130 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. It was the Knicks' second win over the Raptors in 11 days, one that saw them shoot over 58 percent with an extra point on the line (17-of-29), the first time they hit over half their attempts this year.
After learning that Robinson, the Knicks' primary center, would miss at least eight weeks with ankle issues, six different New Yorkers reached double figures. Julius Randle led the way with 33 while Ontario native RJ Barrett earned a season-best 27, the last dozen coming over the final 12 minutes. Together with Jalen Brunson's 21-point tally, the Knicks' headlining trio shot a united 59 percent (32-of-54) from the field.
Julius Randle shoots over Pascal Siakam during Monday's win
John Jones, USA TODAY SPORTS
New York (13-9), which ended a two-game losing streak, also enjoyed the efforts of three double-figure scorers off the bench, even with Immanuel Quickley out due to knee inflammation. Quentin Grimes continued to flourish in a reserve role with 19 points, also a season-best primarily earned on a 5-of-7 effort from three-point range.
Josh Hart had 16 points (6-of-8 from the field) and seven rebounds. and came up particularly big in a fourth quarter that saw him score nine and dish out four assists. Isaiah Hartenstein, who took most of Robinson's minutes (though Jericho Sims got the start), had 11 and eight boards to go with two steals and a block.
The reeling Raptors (9-14) took advantage of the Knicks' struggling defense, one that continued to struggle with Robinson out of the lineup, but that wasn't enough to avoid their sixth loss over the last seven games. They'll return to MSG for the third of four meetings on Jan. 20.
Toronto likewise enjoyed a season-best breakout from potential trade candidate O.G. Anunoby, who scored 29 points. Dennis Schröder had a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists with four steals on a night where the Knicks lost 15 turnovers (seven alone from the hands of Brunson). Scottie Barnes got off to a solid start but the Knicks' defense recovered well enough to limit Toronto's franchise face to only three attempts from the field in the second half.
The Knicks won't be back at Madison Square Garden until a Christmas weekend doubleheader with the Milwaukee Bucks. A five-game road trip gets underway on Wednesday when they face the Utah Jazz (9 p.m. ET, MSG).
