Head coach David Fizdale might not think a closer exists on his roster, but one New York Knicks player believes he fits the bill.
The New York Knicks have struggled to keep wide leads this season, including Thursday’s game against the Washington Wizards. They were once up by 19 points, only to squander it by the fourth quarter.
This was not the first instance, contributing to New York’s 10-34 record. Few players have stepped up to maintain leads in games, and there’s not enough experience on the roster, either.
Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, head coach David Fizdale recognized the Knicks’ non-existent “closers.” He did not identify a specific player, with mention of trying to “will it” in stretches.
"“It happens with spurts with different guys,” Fizdale said. “Then they get so rambunctious about it, they try to will it. And now we’re holding the ball. These are things they have to learn and suffer through.”"
While Fizdale may not think the Knicks have a closer, in the same piece from Berman, Emmanuel Mudiay thought he filled that role, including taking the final shot against the Wizards, with 0.4 seconds left.
"“I’m confident in that,” said Mudiay, who has started since November. “That’s one thing, I’m not afraid of the moment.”“I took that shot, so I had all confidence in that shot,’’ Mudiay said. “Last play when we had the ball I slipped a little bit.”"
Mudiay’s late-game heroics arrived earlier this season, featuring a go-ahead basket against the Milwaukee Bucks and pushing the Knicks over the Charlotte Hornets in December. It was viable play, but this team does not receive it often enough.
New York does not have experienced enough scorers to take this role. Tim Hardaway Jr. should fit the bill, but his uninspiring play since November, with questionable shooting that placed him below a 40 percent season average, removed him from the mix.
Kevin Knox can develop into a late-game player down the road, but at 19, there’s a long road ahead before he becomes reliable, despite glimpses.
Future “closers” are probably not on this roster, however. If the Knicks sign Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker this offseason, they receive a reliable player to turn towards at any point in a game. Maybe that’s even Zion Williamson or RJ Barrett if either land to Steve Mills, Scott Perry and Co.
This roster is hardly complete, and the Knicks have the 2019 offseason to trend it upwards. They may not have a closer now or next year, but developing one is part of the rebuilding process.