New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Portland Trail Blazers?
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
In what was one of the most shocking decisions of the game, Jeff Hornacek trusted Mindaugas Kuzminskas to close out against the Portland Trail Blazers. That decision paid dividends, as Kuzminskas made critical plays late in the fourth quarter.
In what was his first true test against a high-caliber opponent, Kuzminskas stepped up and helped the Knicks get a vital win.
Clutch Kuz! After tonight's @nyknicks win, @MKuzminskas stops to talk on the #Knicks chemistry & his big performance in the W. #NBAPostgame pic.twitter.com/GRh7IHHWrB
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2016
Kuzminskas stepped up with a career-high 10 points in 21 minutes on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 shooting from 3-point range. He added three rebounds, one assist, and a steal in what was an invigorating showing.
Against one of the deepest teams in the NBA, Kuzminskas gave the Knicks reason to believe he can provide New York with depth of its own.
Kuzminskas hit an incredible clutch 3 during the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. He also took his man off the bounce and proved capable of finishing both off-balance and in traffic against Portland’s defense.
All in all, it was a sensational performance by Kuzminskas. He proved what was skeptically believed: he can handle crunch-time basketball.