After turning off the lights on the opening night of the season, RJ Barrett stumbled upon some difficult patches, the second of which coincided with the streak of defeats.
But even though the Knicks won their three-game winning streak Friday night against the Kings in Sacramento, California, Barrett rediscovered his touch and made a big impact in the process.
“We just try to work hard and pull off every day,” Barrett said after scoring 28 highs in the 10-on-17 shooting run in Thursday’s win over the Warriors. “It simply came to our notice then. We are very focused. We have been giving our all and we will continue to do so throughout the season. “
In Friday’s 103-94 loss to the Kings, Barrett added 21 points in the 8-for-17 throw, including a 2 for 2 of 3. Over the last five games he entered Friday, Barrett had averaged 21.8. points, with a shot of 51.4 percent. and 38.9 percent depth, to get 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. In the 10 games prior to this stretch, he shot only 33.1 percent from the ground and 12.8 percent from beyond the arc, figures that were increased by two games in the center in which the left-handers warmed up briefly and fired 18 of 34 from the ground. and 5-for-10 of three.
“I think RJ has played really well, I would say the last five or six games, playing at a very high level,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He started the season where he had a great opening night and I think the teams came after him quite well. But he’s adjusting and even during the stretch where he didn’t shoot particularly well, he bounced really well and played games.
Frank Ntilikina has missed his 13th straight game since suffering a sprained right knee on December 29th. Austin Rivers was also out for the second night in a row with a sore Achilles on the right. … Sunday’s game in Portland has been changed from 9pm east to 10pm
– Additional reports by Peter Botte