WASHINGTON — Obi Toppin, whose name was chanted almost the entire game in the nation’s capital, scored a career-high 35 points as the Knicks rebounded from a 10-0 hole and defeated the Wizards 114-92 in at Capital One Arena the escape struck Friday night.
The Knicks moved up to 36-45 with one game left in their season, but the bigger news of the night could be RJ Barrett’s knee injury.
Obi Toppin finished with a career-high 35 points. NBAE via Getty Images
Obi Toppin scores against Wizards forward Corey Kispert. USA TODAY sports
The team tentatively diagnosed the injury as a knee sprain sustained late in the first half, but Barrett may need an MRI to ensure there is no further damage.
Meanwhile, Toppin was shooting 14-to-22 from the field and was 6-to-9 from 3-point range. He received a standing ovation and more “O-bi” chants as he was knocked out of the game with 57 seconds left.
Immanuel Quickley added 23 points. NBAE via Getty Images
Toppin finished the first half with 18 points after ending a four-point game with nine-tenths of a second to go. He deflated a left wing 3-pointer and was tripped for the foul. The former Dayton star has made noticeable progress from 3-point range in recent weeks – which had been a major weakness in his game.
His career high so far was 20 points – set twice last week. Toppin has started at Power Forward since Julius Randle closed him for the season last week.
Immanuel Quickley added 23 points in the router. Toppin and Quickley are the Knicks’ two first-round picks of the 2020 draft.