
Marshall Plumlee
His statistics weren’t exactly prolific, but Marshall Plumlee had an outstanding showing against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His tenacity was nothing short of vital to the Knicks surviving a road test that includes a blown 17-point lead.
Plumlee got the job done on both ends of the floor with his energy, physicality, and relentless pursuit of victory.
Skill level still be a long way from ready, but willingness to bang inside, foul hard shows Marshall Plumlee needs some minutes for Knicks.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) December 1, 2016
Plumlee finished with four points, five rebounds, one offensive board, one assist, and one steal in 19 minutes of court time. That’s far from stellar, even if he did make his only field goal attempt and go 2-of-3 at the free throw line.
What’s far more important than the numbers, however, is the energy and defense that Plumlee provided in Joakim Noah’s absence.
Plumlee wasn’t afraid to get physical with the opposition, which includes a massive offensive rebound late in the fourth quarter. He chased down an errant shot and drew a foul on Gorgui Dieng to help stop the clock and slow the game down in the middle of Minnesota’s run.
Plumlee may never be the most productive player on the Knicks’ roster, but his +/- of +11 accurately reflects the impact he had on the outcome of this game.