New York Knicks: Who stepped up in streak-snapping win vs. Nets?

The New York Knicks broke a five-game losing streak with Monday’s win against the Brooklyn Nets. Which players led the way?

Monday night, the New York Knicks entered a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on a five-game losing streak. Most of these defeats came in narrow scoring margins and even a competitive showing versus the Golden State Warriors.

So, at home, the Knicks toppled the Nets, 115-96. It happened behind 25 points from Tim Hardaway Jr. and a double-double from Enes Kanter off the bench.

With every win comes players that stepped up to make it happen. Who was at the forefront of their second victory of the 2018-19 season?

4. Mitchell Robinson

For the second straight game, Mitchell Robinson joined the starting lineup at center. His experience still lacks, but nights like Monday took the rookie’s development in the proper direction.

In just 15 minutes, Robinson had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and an emphatic block. By far his best stat line yet, it secured the 20-year-old’s starter spot for at least another game, with the potential to go for another three in head coach David Fizdale’s five-game sets.

Why the spark in play? As Tim Hardaway Jr. said in a post-game interview, Rasheed Wallace, who worked with the New York Knicks big men in practice, got to Robinson and provided advice.

Afterward, the 2018 draft pick said he took defensive tutelage and learned to be louder on the court. It’s easy to forget his lack of professional basketball experience, especially after sitting out the 2017-18 college season to prepare for the NBA.

Anything Robinson learns can be taken in stride, and he took some of that to heart in the win over Brooklyn.

Robinson might not string consecutive impressive performances this early in his career, but he has surprised early and could continue the success against an upstart Indiana Pacers unit.