He didn't let anything show that evening. Last November 12, RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 24 points in a victory easy at home against the Hornets. However, the New York fullback suffered from a severe headache which subsequently worsened.
Result: he had to forfeit the following three matches. “ It's not ideal to not play for a week. I have no excuses, I'm getting back into it “, he blurted out to the New York Post. The 23-year-old won't go into detail, but the migraines he suffered from may explain his current difficulties.
“ Have you ever had one? It's not funny. Not fun at all. It was hard. I was sitting there, everything had to be dark. It was hard. But it happened a little while ago », Describes the Canadian, whose testimony recalls that of Kendall Gill well before him.
Before these painful episodes, RJ Barrett was enjoying a very solid start to the season: nearly 23 points on average on 49% shooting, including 50% from distance, with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. From ? This is less than 15 points on average, and above all very mediocre percentages (34% including 25% at 3-points).
The Knicks hold on
“ I have to be able to get out of this. I have to be better for this team. Another big part of our success has to do with me playing well. So I must be able to get out of this », Repeats the third choice of the 2019 Draft, who wants to improve his statistics in terms of 3-point skill and rebounding in particular. His rebound average (3.6) has never been this low in his career.
Their difficulties have not yet had a significant impact on the dynamics of the Knicks (12v-7d) who remain on three consecutive victories and are clinging to the lead in the East, in 5th place.
“ I remember a time last year when I was even worse off. So far, so good and I will continue to improve. I'm not really worried. It happens to everyone. I approach each match with confidence. I just have to play hard, and as long as the team wins, that's what matters », he finishes.
| RJ Barrett | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 56 | 30 | 40.2 | 32.0 | 61.4 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 14.3 |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 72 | 35 | 44.1 | 40.1 | 74.6 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 17.6 |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 70 | 35 | 40.8 | 34.2 | 71.4 | 0.9 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 20.0 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 73 | 34 | 43.4 | 31.0 | 74.0 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 19.6 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 14 | 29 | 42.1 | 38.9 | 83.6 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 18.6 |
| Total | 285 | 33 | 42.2 | 34.5 | 71.5 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 18.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
