NBA
April 5, 2023 | 9:58 p.m
INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks began playing the final three games of the regular season Wednesday night, taking advantage of the luxury of resting top players while awaiting their first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers.
Playing without their top three scorers, the fifth-ranked Knicks did something they hadn’t accomplished offensively in more than 44 years by earning their fifth straight 138-129 win over the absent Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Obi Toppin gave the Knicks three 30-point scorers in a game (Ray Williams, Earl Monroe and Toby Knight) for the first time since March 24, 1979.
“Every time someone drops out, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in. All these guys have had really good moments throughout the year,” said Tom Thibodeau. “What I’m most proud of is how they’ve improved over the year.
“When we think about how we started, where we were, where we are today, it’s a tribute to them, to our players, for working together and not skipping anything. Put in the work every day.”
Immanuel Quickley dribbles the ball across the pitch against the Pacers. NBAE via Getty Images
Excluding Julius Randle (left ankle sprain), Jalen Brunson (right hand maintenance) and RJ Barrett (non-COVID illness), Quickley led the Knicks (47-33) with 39 points and Toppin had 32 while earning his third Start in a row on the spot made by Randle.
He surpassed his season-high 21 from the previous game against the Wizards.
“We just did a lot of right things, moved the ball, played in transition, played a lot faster,” Toppin said. “We had fun out there.”
Grimes contributed a career-best 36 points and Mitchell Robinson dominated the paint with 14 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocked shots for the Knicks, who will play the Pacers in New Orleans on Friday and at home on Sunday before hitting five or get six days off game 1 vs the cavaliers.
want to watch a game The Knicks schedule with links to purchase tickets can be found here.
“I wish we didn’t have a long break,” said Josh Hart, who added six points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in his first start in 23 appearances since a Feb. 8 trade from Portland. “I have a feeling we’re going in the right direction. So in the last three games you keep building habits and keep growing, getting better and better.
Obi Toppin dunks the ball against the Pacers.USA TODAY Sports via Portal Con
With 19 points, Jalen Smith led the eliminated Pacers, who, among other things, played without all-star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Toppin finished the first half at 19, Quickley at 18 and Grimes at 16 as the Knicks went 70-67 at halftime.
Toppin’s lift from Hart increased the lead to 14 in the final minute of the third before the Pacers reclaimed the lead with a 19-1 breakout that spanned the final two quarters.
But two more transition dunks from Toppin put the Knicks 124-120 with 3:43 left, joining Quickley and Grimes in the rare 30-30-30 club.
Quinton Grimes drives to the basket for the Knicks.AP
“I’m trying to think. What was going on in 1979? Was there even cable [TV]?” said Quickley. “It’s a great thing, I’m really happy, especially for these guys because they work really hard. And especially Obi, nice to see him succeeding, especially on track.”
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