Tyler Kolek and the Knicks backups continue to impress

HAS New Yorkand Gershon Yabusele is out of the rotation Mother Brown, other substitutes Nix shine and, ten days after that took down the Spurs in the NBA Cup Finals, that’s who downed the Cavaliers on Christmas Eve.

After thatthe New York coach could only look forward to what maybe the best win (of his team) this season » : « Basically, our bench got us. They put us in position to do it down the stretch. »

Josh Hart injured, Tyler Kolek takes over

We could cite heatstroke from Jordan Clarkson (25 points) or dominance in the jump from Mitchell Robinson (13 catches, including 8 offensive tackles), but it’s good Tyler Kolek (16 points, 9 assists) who burst the screen the most in the third biggest “comeback” in Christmas history. Like in Indianapolis last week.

« Change the flow of the game, that’s what I always say » he revealedregarding his state of mind when he enters the floor. ” Cam Paine taught me that last season as soon as we won the game. You have to be able to change the flow of the game, you have to be able to do something different to change the rhythm and dynamics of the match. »

After Josh Hart went down with an injury (ankle), Tyler Kolek made the difference with his points (11) – including a 3/3 triple – and his good shifts. Apart from making a life-saving counter-attack on Donovan Mitchell, who went on the counter-attack, he was initially whistled by the referees, but was finally reviewed after a “challenge”.

« We always talk about the speed of reaction to the next action. So I saw him run and, frankly, if he had just sprinted to the classic double step, I would never have caught him. But he wanted to try some stupid windmill, so he slowed down because he was trying something crazy » he confided about this decisive action 1 minute 45 from the end.

Mentally, these Knicks have the resources

It has been said, but in addition to the ultra-energetic Tyler Kolek, the completely celebrated Garden, Jordan Clarkson also proved valuable with 7 points in the last act. While Mitchell Robinson applied tremendous pressure under the boards, to get a few second chances.

« When the game gets tight like that and we need some energy, we have to go for an offensive rebound. So I kept pushing and sometimes I managed to get the balloons back » the replacement of the shaft is described in detail, a real vacuum cleaner under the circle.

« Given the circumstances », Mike Brown appreciated that his players do not give up and move in the same direction, in order to finally erase this deficit of 17 units. ” All the elements were there for this match to be a bad one, but they continued to fight without losing funds. There could have been a lot of arguing or blaming, but everyone kept communicating to find a solution. »

A feeling he shares Jalen Brunsonthe author of 34 points (of which 13 in the fourth quarter), but aware that he is not (only) the hero of the afternoon: ” We didn’t give up. At certain moments we told ourselves that we weren’t in it, but we didn’t give up. It all started with Tyler (Kollek), (Jordan Clarkson) and Mitchell (Robinson). Thanks to them we won. »