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New York Knicks: Who stepped up during 118-91 win over Sacramento Kings?

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Sacramento Kings on November 11, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Sacramento Kings on November 11, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyle O’Quinn

New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is beginning to utilize Kyle O’Quinn’s underrated passing ability as a tool in the offense. Including the win over Sacramento, O’Quinn has recorded at least four assists in four of the past five games.

It’s rare that the Knicks blow teams out, but O’Quinn’s two-way contributions helped make that result possible against the Sacramento Kings.

O’Quinn played just 13 minutes, but that was due in large part to the lopsided nature of the game. He helped the Knicks put the Kings away early, and thus, Hornacek provided Willy Hernangomez with a rare opportunity to receive playing time.

When he was on the court, however, O’Quinn continued to be the heart and soul of a Knicks team that’s making Madison Square Garden a basketball haven once again.

O’Quinn scored a mere two points on 1-of-2 shooting, but per usual, his scoring wasn’t what mattered. The 27-year-old pulled down six rebounds, dished out five assists, and compiled a +/- of +11 in just 13 minutes.

Through 12 games, New York is outscoring opponents by 6.0 points per 100 possessions with O’Quinn on the court—and is being outscored by 3.6 points per 100 possessions when he isn’t.

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