New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the OKC Thunder on Dec. 16?

Doug McDermott

When the New York Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Doug McDermott was an afterthought. Many focused on Enes Kanter, who became a nightly double-double threat before Billy Donovan pushed him to the back of the rotation.

The player whom most overlooked, however, has become one of the most valuable contributors to the Knicks’ 16-13 season: Doug McDermott.

McDermott built upon his rebound season by exacting a measure of revenge against the Thunder. He posted 13 points, one rebound, and an assist on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and an efficient 3-of-5 mark from beyond the arc.

It was a generally clutch showing from McDermott, whose +/- of +13 was accumulated via his invaluable ability to step up when the Knicks needed him most.

When Oklahoma City went on a run in the third quarter that Russell Westbrook capped off with a thunderous dunk, McDermott buried a three in response. He proceeded to score eight more points in the fourth quarter, thus bringing his tally to 11 in the second half alone.

New York played well in the first half, but this game was won in the third and fourth quarters—and it was McDermott who led the effort to close it out.