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New York Knicks: RJ Barrett’s 5 most important games so far

By Maxwell Ogden

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks warms up before playing against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks warms up before playing against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Interim head coach Mike Miller talks with RJ Barrett #9 against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. The Turning Point

Date: Dec. 11, 2019
Opponent: Golden State Warriors
Result: 124-122 OT, W

The New York Knicks entered Dec. 11 in a state of disarray. With a 4-20 record, an interim head coach, and a lack of any type of identity, the Knicks were in desperate need of a win over a Golden State Warriors team that still had D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green in the lineup.

For RJ Barrett in specific, it was the first game since he shot 1-of-9 from the field and received just 19 minutes of playing time against the Portland Trail Blazers.

And then it all turned around.

New York was resilient, outlasting Golden State for a 124-122 road overtime victory. Marcus Morris admittedly led the way with 36 points and 10 rebounds, and Julius Randle wasn’t far behind with 24 points, 10 boards, and five assists.

Barrett played a team-high 46 minutes, however, and managed to turn his entire rookie year around with a truly memorable performance—on both ends of the floor.

Barrett finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one block, and a steal on 8-of-16 shooting. He went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 at the free throw line, and scored six of his 22 points between the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.

This was a crucial turning point for Barrett, and it couldn’t have been any better of a launching pad for a rookie-year turnaround.

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