Hit in the calf, Jalen Brunson could not play against the Jazz. Miles McBride would therefore take his place in the major five. Bad luck, he felt pain in his thigh during the warm-up… So, at the last moment, it was finally Cameron Payne who started the game for the Knicks.
Two important absentees therefore, who between them weigh no less than 35 points and 10.7 assists on average since the start of the season. But facing a weak Jazz team, New York had no problem continuing its great streak, now at nine wins in a row.
“We have a lot of density. And we have players who can score. This is the difference between this year and last season. Last year, without Brunson, I'm not sure we would have won.” remembers Josh Hart as the Knicks finished with one win for four losses without the point guard in 2023/24. “There, without him, there remains Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby. »
Cameron Payne, symbol of the depth of the bench
We can even add Josh Hart to this list since, still in good shape, he achieved a second triple-double in a row with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. For the rest, “KAT” scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges 27 and OG Anunoby 22. And Cameron Payne? He also had a good match with 8 points (admittedly 2/9 shooting), 9 assists and 3 interceptions.
“Everyone has to be ready. We have a very good bench and as soon as everyone is called up, everyone is ready to play. I still am and it helps,” explains the former Phoenix player, informed of his tenure only a few moments before the start of the match. “So when something like this happens, I’m able to be in it.” It was surprising but I was ready. »
The Knicks were able to win easily without Jalen Brunson and with an effective defense. Of course it's only a victory against Utah but the main thing is elsewhere: to continue to play well without an All-Star and to have a series still alive. They are no longer very far from second place in the Eastern Conference, which currently belongs to Boston.
“A good big victory. We found a way to win and this is our season: the players present do the job for the absent ones,” summarizes Tom Thibodeau. “That’s why it’s a team and we work together. Everyone puts the team first and makes sacrifices. During the season, whether dealing with injury, illness or a foul problem, we need everyone. When you are called, you have to be ready. »
