NY Knicks: Ranking each game of the 9 game winning streak

#1: NY Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies – 133-129 OT – April 9th

Man, was this a special first game to start the streak.

Julius Randle managed to still be impactful during a poor shooting night (4-12) by recording a 15 point, 10 rebounds, and 11 assist triple-double. The Knicks bench dominated Memphis behind usual suspects Derrick Rose (19), Alec Burks (19), and Immanuel Quickley (20). The defense played its best in the fourth quarter and overtime, allowing the Grizzlies lowest point totals of the game (24 in 4Q, 15 in OT).

And yet, none of those things could beat the cherry on top.

Rowan. Alexander. Barrett. Junior.

Just over a week after missing the potential game-winning shot in the heartbreaking loss to Minnesota, the game where Anthony Edwards made headlines by saying the Wolves wanted Barrett to take the final shot, Barrett became a crunch-time junkie.

Barrett scored 10 points in the fourth quarter against Memphis, hitting all sorts of shots. The final shot of the fourth quarter was a coast-to-coast layup where he bodied Ja Morant under the basket to tie the game and force overtime.

And Barrett didn’t quit giving Memphis the goods in OT, where he scored another 5 points.

This was the first time we saw RJ Barrett take over a game and win it for his team. This is what franchise players are made of, and we have seen it a lot during this winning streak.

The Dallas game proved to be revenge for our past and a statement for our present. But, the win against Memphis, the one that started this beautiful stretch of New York Knicks Basketball, is a glimpse of the future. This winning streak was just the beginning. Buckle up.

Player of the game: RJ Barrett – 20 points (15 in 4Q and OT), 5 rebounds, 7-13 FG