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Saturday’s Knicks victory was delayed for about 10 minutes because of a bent rim that was actually straight.
Apparently Mikal Bridges jump-started an early fourth quarter investigation by telling the officials the rim was askew as he was taking free throws.
The thought was that a previous dunk from OG Anunoby had shifted the metal circle.
But after an MSG worker climbed a ladder and tested the alignment with a level-line tool, the rim was determined to be regulation.
“[Mikal] was the only one who thought it was crooked,” Josh Hart said jokingly. “He has bad vision anyway so I think that’s part of it.”
It didn’t impact the Knicks, who cruised to a 143-120 victory. Bridges also hit his free throw immediately after the delay.
Tom Thibodeau mentioned that the players skipped warming up after a delay because they felt ready to play. He emphasized the need to stay focused during NBA games, despite unexpected situations like the hoop potentially being slightly off. He highlighted the importance of adapting to unforeseen circumstances in the game.
The Knicks got a boost from their bench against the Kings, specifically from Landry Shamet’s shooting and Precious Achiuwa’s defense.
Shamet, who was recently reintegrated into the rotation, knocked down nine points on three treys — his highest scoring output of the season.
In just 18 minutes, Achiuwa managed to grab five rebounds, make two steals, and block a shot. Notably, the Knicks significantly outscored the Kings by 27 points while Achiuwa was on the court, showcasing his impact.
Thibodeau praised Achiuwa’s unique quickness and defensive abilities, noting his effective defense against players like DeMar DeRozan. Achiuwa’s versatility was evident as he could handle pick-and-roll situations adeptly, swiftly transitioning from on-ball defense to protecting his assigned player. Thibodeau also commended Achiuwa’s quick reactions and agility, particularly his crucial block in the game. The coach appreciated Achiuwa’s ability to swiftly adjust defensive strategies, including more switching, based on the opponent’s lineup.