New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Sacramento Kings?
Joakim Noah
This was easily the most important performance of the season by New York Knicks center Joakim Noah. He moved well, rebounded at an elite level, controlled the paint on defense, and stepped up in the area he’d been struggling to all season.
With the Knicks trailing 97-98, the Sacramento Kings went hack-a-Noah and paid the price when he hit both of his free throws to give New York a 99-98 lead.
DeMarcus Cousins imitates the free throw shooting of Joakim Noah pic.twitter.com/xA5BNCHRJ0
— Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) December 10, 2016
Noah finished with four points, nine rebounds, one offensive board, one assist, two blocks, and a steal in his 28 minutes of play. He shot just 1-of-3 from the field, but he was a crucial 2-of-2 at the free throw line and had a +/- of +9.
More important than the statistics is how much Noah did for his own confidence during the fourth quarter.
Jeff Hornacek trusted Noah by keeping him on the court when the hack-a-Shaq was on the horizon. Noah responded like the extraordinary competitor he is by stepping up to the line and sinking a pair of momentum-swinging free throws.
Noah had an otherwise strong game, but those free throws were the plays of the game for the victorious Knicks.