This looked more like the Obi Toppin the Knicks thought they were getting.
The lottery selection is on its way back after suffering a tense calf in the season opener, with Sunday only its fourth NBA game. But Toppin offered a glimpse of what could come, recording 12 career highs and five rebounds off the bench in the Knicks ’105-75 victory over the Celtics at TD Garden.
“I’m willing to do whatever the coach needs me to do,” Toppin said. “I am ready to do anything to help the team win. And I will continue to learn and improve every day. We have fantastic teammates and coaches around me who will drive me every day to be great. And I really want him to be able to come that day so that he is great ”.
Toppin shot 5 of 8 from the field and 2 of 4 from outside the arc in 17 minutes, the highest he has played since the first game of the season. He said his conditioning is “pretty good” after missing 10 games.
“He’s done a really good job preparing to play again,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Every start has been getting better. And his defense is really coming. He is a very gifted offensive player “.
Toppin showed a strong connection with his new debutant, Immanuel Quickley, with the guard feeding him in four of his five field goals, including an alley-oop.
Mitchell Robinson, who suffered a bruised right heel Friday against the Cavaliers, crashed again in the first quarter on Sunday when he fell hard after blocking a triple. He said his knee suffered the worst, which showed he looked like he was still moving cautiously when he returned in the second quarter.
“So far so good,” Robinson said. “You just have to get treatment and see if I can play it.”
The Knicks will play the second half of a consecutive Monday against Magic on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a significant game for Reggie Bullock.
“Using my platform, I have to raise awareness of a lot of social issues happening across America,” Bullock said. “I think it’s great for us to play that day. I am very proud to do it, to play with my team and to compete. The Knicks are a great franchise. For us it is great to use our platform and play for a great organization. “We play MLK Day to continue to raise awareness of all the social issues that are happening in America right now.” We play MLK Day to continue to raise awareness of all the social issues happening in the United States right now. “
Thibodeau left the door open for Alec Burks (left ankle sprain) to possibly return on Monday after spending a “good morning” practicing on Saturday.
– Additional reports by Marc Berman