Coach Tom Thibodeau’s primary objectives through the Knicks’ first two preseason games have been to find out how his new $104 million point guard, Jalen Brunson, fits in with the first unit, as well as affording some extended minutes to a couple of returning young players to determine if they deserve increased rotation consideration off the bench.
Brunson posted his second straight effective performance, and Obi Toppin dunked and fired his way to a 24-point game with an acrobatic second-half display to front the Knicks to another preseason victory, 131-114, Friday night over the Pacers at the Garden.
Toppin heard multiple chants of his name from the home crowd in the second half after executing a highlight-reel dunk between his legs in the third quarter, and again after throwing down three more jams — plus two 3-pointers — in the fourth.
RJ Barrett netted 16 of his 18 points in the first half, Brunson and Immanuel Quickley each scored 17 and Julius Randle finished with 15 for the Knicks, who will travel to face Indiana in their third preseason game on Wednesday.
Obi Toppin dunks during the Knicks’ preseason win over the Pacers. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
Obi Toppin erupted for 24 points. AP
Cam Reddish notably started in place of shooting guard Evan Fournier, who was rested, but he managed just two points on 1-for-7 shooting in 22 minutes.
Coming off multiple ankle surgeries, Derrick Rose has logged just 19 minutes in the Knicks’ two victories, but the 15-year NBA veteran insisted that he is concentrating on his improved health and conditioning as he prepares for his first regular-season appearance since Dec. 16.
“It’s whatever Thibs wants,” said Rose, who scored seven points and recorded three assists over 12 minutes off the bench Friday night. “I think he’s trying to assess the younger guys, I guess, guys trying to make the team.
“I mean, it’s a good sign for me, because it lets me know he’s not worried about me.”
The relationship between player and coach stretches back to their time together with the Bulls and the Timberwolves, and there are few players Thibodeau trusts as much as he trusts Rose, the league MVP in the first year of their partnership, 2010-11 in Chicago.
After shedding about 20 pounds in the offseason at Thibodeau’s request, the 34-year-old Rose believes his conditioning is already at the requisite level to open the season.
“I know I’m ready,” Rose said. “I know if I stay ready I don’t have to get ready. I’m ready at all times if he needs me.”
Jalen Brunson dribbles during the Knicks’ preseason win over the Pacers. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
Mitchell Robinson has said that Rose has helped him get into shape during training camp by doing three minutes of sprints side by side after each practice. Barrett added that he’s not at all surprised that Rose immediately has been effective in running the second unit.
“It’s Derrick Rose. He’s the last person we should be worried about. He knows what he’s doing. We don’t worry about him at all,” Barrett said. “Him more than a lot of people, he’s just really good at the game of basketball. He just goes in there and it’s so just instinctual with him. It just comes easy to him. He’s got ‘it.’ ”
Derrick Rose dribbles to the basket. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
The Knicks went 30-17 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2013 after Rose was acquired from the Pistons in February 2021. They finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs last year, however, going 24-29 after Rose left the lineup in December.
“He’s really a leader out there and just a floor general,” Barrett said. “He controls the game when he’s out there, so we definitely missed his leadership and his spirit out there.”
Barrett netted 11 points in the first nine minutes Friday, and Rose shimmied to the rim twice for buckets late in the first quarter, although the Knicks trailed by five entering the second.
Toppin and Miles McBride each nailed a couple of 3-pointers to build a 72-54 lead into intermission, and the Knicks maintained a 15-point cushion into the final quarter.
Jalen Brunson, Obi Toppin help Knicks cruise in preseason win
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