Mitchell Robinson finally returned Sunday night, as did Spike Lee, but the Knicks were unable to pull off what would have been the most important comeback of all.
Julius Randle forced overtime with a triple near the end of regulation, but was called in for a late free-kick that led to free throws ahead – and then missed an 18-foot jumper as time expired for to the second of the Knicks. an overwhelming loss to Philadelphia’s top spot in less than a week, 101-100, in the garden.
Randle called the lack of “ridiculous f-king” during a heated post-game press conference.
Randle scored 24 points and Alec Burks finished with 20, including seven in overtime, but the Knicks fell 21-22 ahead of two home games Tuesday and Thursday against Washington. Lee even attended his usual court seat for the first time since he spat public with Jim Dolan more than a year ago.
The messy game, with 36 rotations combined between the two teams, was tied in three quarters. Danny Green’s float gave Philly a 88-85 lead with 19.1 seconds left, but Long Island teammate Tobias Harris made two free throws a few seconds later. Randle connected for a tie at 3 from the right corner with 6.4 ticks on the clock to force overtime.
Reggie Bullock’s triple put the Knicks up 100 to 96 with 1:10 to play, but Harris (20 points) responded with another mark from long range. Shake Milton missed a possible start, but Randle was whistled for a free-kick on the rebound, and Harris sank both free throws in 5.3 seconds to get a one-point lead in Philadelphia.
The match was played with two referees because Dannica Mosher was unavailable due to league safety and health protocols, and both sides complained during the match about the job, with Randle and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who received technical fouls.
Robinson played for the first time since breaking his right hand on Feb. 12 against the Wizards and finished with four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes from the bench. He appeared to be limping with a possible ankle injury in the bench area at the end of the fourth quarter.
Immanuel Quickley also returned after a one-game absence due to an ankle problem, scoring 10 points in the 4-on-12 shot.
Thibodeau said before the game that Robinson would initially play in the second unit while regaining his conditioning after starting in each of his first 27 appearances this season.
“He will probably leave the bench and then we will see where he goes. But eventually he will be part of the initial formation again “, said Thibodeau. “It was a hand injury, so he was able to do a lot of cardio. But it’s different than playing in a game. We will see it up close with our medical staff and we will see where it is when it comes out. “
After participating in the team’s morning shootout, the 22-year-old Robinson said he “felt great to be back with the boys” during a controlled session the day before.
Robinson did not carry a corbel in his hand, which he said had a metal plate inserted during surgery on Feb. 16. He recorded for Noel with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter and provided an inside bucket and wrapper. to three attempts at half-time shots.
The Sixers led 14 points with 3:31 left for the second quarter, but the Knicks finished the half with a 13-0 run, with two Quickley triples and a steal and a Barrett put-up to close at 43 -42 to interrupt.
Cubs Nerlens Noel (13 points) and RJ Barrett (19) pushed the Knicks into the first minutes of the third quarter and led up to six at the end of the period before the Sixers forged a 64-64 tie entering the final quarter. .