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Knicks Getting Major Boost From Bench

The New York Knicks reserves came through in a big way against the Utah Jazz.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) and New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne (1) battle for position on the ball during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) and New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne (1) battle for position on the ball during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images / Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. However, there will be some nights where the quintet isn't playing up to standard.

That's why it's important to have a capable bench that can have players shine whenever needed, like Saturday's loss against the Utah Jazz.

The Knicks didn't get the spark they needed from their starting five, so coach Tom Thibodeau relied on the bench, specifically Cam Payne and Jericho Sims, to get a spark for his team.

“We were low energy and I thought that those guys give us energy, they gave us a good boost—sort of got us going. I almost went back to Sims at the end," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. “You’d rather be playing from the lead, I think that’s important. We were chasing all night.”

Sims gave some good minutes while in the game, but Thibodeau really relied on Payne with Mikal Bridges struggling. Thibodeau went with the red-hot Payne over the cold Bridges for the final 10 minutes of the game against the Jazz.

“Obviously, I was struggling, but our biggest thing is to win. Cam [Payne] came in and he was playing well. He was part of that team that was making that run," Bridges said. “So I was more just frustrated that I couldn’t be out there to help the team and frustrated that the first three quarters I was out there, I couldn’t really do much. But yeah, I understand it. We’re trying to win a game, and that’s all I care about, so I think that was the right decision.”

While it didn't result in a win, Payne's contributions haven't gone unnoticed, and this builds the trust between coach and player as the season rolls along.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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