Kyle O’Quinn
For the second consecutive game, Kyle O’Quinn was one of the stars of the show for the New York Knicks. It wasn’t another 20-point and 13-rebound performance, but O’Quinn was a monster on the boards and a defensive force to be reckoned with.
DeMarcus Cousins may have scored 30 points, but O’Quinn’s defense is a major reason why the two-time All-NBA Second Team honoree shot 9-of-30 from the field.
O’Quinn finished with four points, nine rebounds, three offensive rebounds, and four blocks in just 14 minutes. He led the Knicks in offensive rebounding, tied for the team lead in blocks, and was the spark New York needed to secure this win.
Most impressively, the 6’10” big man with a 7’5″ wingspan had yet another powerful showing on the defensive end of the floor to complement his efforts on the offensive glass.
Kyle O'Quinn on his recent offensive rebounding prowess (10 in the last two games): "You just wanna play. You'll do anything."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 5, 2016
O’Quinn played with great energy and showed no fear in meeting Cousins at the rim or under the basket. He puts his size, strength, and length to good use against a Kings team that relentlessly took it inside.
If O’Quinn can maintain this level of energy and intensity for the remainder of this season, he’d solidify his role in the NBA and the Knicks would have a bench worth talking about.