Taj Gibson has played in moderation since signing back with the Knicks in January, but the veteran big man provided the Knicks with a defensive rise Sunday night in the garden.
With starting midfielder Mitchell Robinson offside after hand surgery and Nerlens’ Noel substitute, Gibson faced Karl-Anthony Towns, the All-Star’s great man, and got a key stop in the second finals of the Knicks ’103-99 victory over Minnesota.
With the Knicks ahead 99-98 and with 23.2 seconds remaining, Towns (27 points) missed a short jump.
“Mentally, to be prepared, for my teammates, just trying to inspire, trying to do what I have to do,” said Gibson, who was Towns ’teammate with the 2017-19 T’Wolves . “Just don’t let KAT get to the middle. I’ve been around him a long time knowing he wants to get in the middle of the lane and try to shoot a running hook or a floating hook.
“It was a fight. He knew it would come to him. Tonight I was lucky. I just tried to use my body and fight. ”
Old lottery selection Frank Ntilikina has appeared in just four games this season, and none since injuring his right knee on Dec. 29. He also spent a week isolated in his hotel room in Miami earlier this month to locate the COVID-19 contact, despite continually testing negative for the virus. .
“It definitely wasn’t the best, but it was probably for everyone’s health,” Ntilikina said. “I did my best to do some exercises in the room. He couldn’t do much. Attempted to remain closed [in], stay focused on the season and all goals. “
The Knicks had planned to send little-used guards Dennis Smith Jr. in League G per game action before he was traded to Detroit for Derrick Rose, But Tom Thibodeau he said “not yet” when asked if he was considering this task for Ntilikina.
Austin Rivers he had only added five minutes in the previous five games, but was unavailable on Sunday due to illness.