Despite playing without Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr., the New York Knicks stunned Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, Dec. 16. Who stepped up?
The New York Knicks entered Saturday, Dec. 16 as heavy underdogs. The Oklahoma City Thunder were playing the second leg of a back to back—the first of which went to triple overtime—but the Knicks were without each of their top two scorers: Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Against all odds, the Knicks outworked, out-hustled, and outplayed the Thunder en route to a statement of a 111-96 victory.
This was as much of a team win as any that the Knicks have secured in 2017-18. Porzingis and Hardaway combine to produce 43.3 points and 4.3 three-point field goals made per game, but New York overcome their absences by playing for the name on the front of the jersey for 48 minutes.
Every member of the nine-man rotation left it all on the court, with a select few stepping up to provide some of the best performances of their respective seasons thus far.
New York reached its magic number of 21 assists, knocked down 14 assists, and held Oklahoma City to 42.4 percent shooting from the field. It committed just 13 turnovers, got to the line for 26 free throw attempts, and survived an uncharacteristically poor performance on the boards by fighting on defense.
The question is: Who stepped up for the New York Knicks during a shocking 111-96 upset of the Oklahoma City Thunder?