The Knicks launched into a week-long West Coast journey on Thursday, kicking it off with a matchup at Portland and a radical beatdown of the Path Blazers, successful their first recreation away from New York 105-93.
The night belonged to Jalen Brunson because the marvelous level guard went on to attain 45 factors in 38 minutes taking pictures 14-of-30 from the ground in opposition to the lowly Roses.
Here’s what a few of our beloved Knickerbockers needed to say earlier than and after Thursday’s affair.
Tom Thibodeau
On OG Anunoby’s damage scare halfway by way of Thursday’s recreation…
“Stuff like that’s gonna occur. We had been anticipating there to be bumps and bruises like that.”
“There’s gonna be some occasions the place there’s gonna be soreness. He performed by way of it, he was high-quality—medical (employees) checked out him.”
“There’s gonna be occasions the place it will get hit and we simply gotta maintain going. We’ll see the place he’s tomorrow.”
“Usually—such as you do with all of your gamers—there’s gonna be bumps and bruises in each recreation after which we examine after the sport, then we examine within the morning.”
On shifting Treasured Achiuwa to the second unit with OG Anunoby again within the beginning lineup…
“It’s prioritizing the crew. We knew that we had a deep crew to start out the season. One of many issues we talked about proper from the beginning was everybody’s willingness to sacrifice and put the crew first. So everybody needs to play [but] not everybody may play.”
“After which you might have accidents and, the subsequent factor you realize, you’re in there and now your job is to be sure you keep prepared whenever you’re not within the rotation. After which if you find yourself—or in case your function modifications and now you’re taking part in an expanded function—to have the ability to deal with that. I believe our guys have proven that each one 12 months.”
On Jalen Brunson taking part in beneath a minute restriction in a number of latest video games…
“It’s extra of a suggestion. He’s coming off an damage. It’s not his regular. When he can play, you at all times have the reply sitting there, when it’s a traditional factor. He’s feeling higher now. So he must be again to what he usually is.”
On Isaiah Hartenstein’s minute restriction and when it would finish…
“I don’t [know]. He’s feeling quite a bit higher as effectively, in order that’s the optimistic. Clearly, getting OG has added quite a bit. So now Treasured [Achuiwa] goes extra to the backup 5. After which we nonetheless have Jericho [Sims]. So we be ok with that.”
OG Anunoby
On the motion that led as much as him leaving the sport in ache on his injured elbow…
“It’s simply sore. Nothing actually occurred. Simply went for a ball. And it harm randomly, nevertheless it’s high-quality.”
“[It was the] fast motion. I haven’t finished it shortly, simply getting used to it. You possibly can’t re-create that in return to play and follow.”
“(It’s) not even ache tolerance. That is only a random factor.”
Jalen Brunson
On his taking pictures after scoring 45 factors on a 2-of-10 efficiency from past the 3-point line…
“I’ve had video games the place I’ve made numerous 2s and no 3s, and I’m fairly positive I had one recreation this 12 months the place I made all 3s and no 2s. It occurs.”
“Simply all about conserving my confidence, not worrying, second-guessing… simply taking part in by way of it. It’s at all times going to be a curler coaster. Simply obtained to maintain my mentality and thoughts straight. That’s the one factor I can management.”
On OG Anunoby’s standing and whether or not or not OG was taking part in by way of ache and/or nonetheless injured…
“I really feel like if he’s harm he wouldn’t play. I believe numerous us have mindsets like that. However he went again on the market, in order that’s a telling signal.”
“He’s powerful, and clearly we would like the perfect for everyone. We wish everybody to be wholesome before everything. However I imply, in case you return on the market, meaning you’re good. Issues are going to occur. You’re going to get banged up.”
On Josh Hart’s taking part in time and dealing with it with out bother…
“It doesn’t matter what he says or (nevertheless a lot he) complains, one factor he’s gonna do is play onerous for 48 minutes. That’s simply what he’s. That’s in his DNA. He’s been like that since I’ve met him. That is nothing new.”
Bojan Bogdanovic
On the Knicks’ win in opposition to the Blazers and his five-point outing…
“We simply must be higher, be extra aggressive defensively and offensively. You gotta be prepared.”
”, particularly when Jalen is off the courtroom, the second unit gotta know find out how to run completely different sorts of set performs as a result of clearly, he’s not there. After which defensively, we gotta maintain the usual up, taking part in protection it doesn’t matter what’s occurring offensively.”
Treasured Achiuwa
On subsequent summer time when he’ll enter July as an unrestricted free agent…
“Proper now, I’m simply centered on the season. Clearly, that’s one thing that’s going to return round. When that point comes that’s one thing we’re gonna speak about—after all, cross that bridge. However for proper now simply concentrate on the season, make this final push for the playoffs, and naturally make a superb playoff push.”
On incomes new function because the beginning energy ahead following a number of teammate’s accidents and his enchancment…
“That is the perfect I’ve performed in a very, actually very long time. Undoubtedly feels good.”
On his future within the League, whether or not that’s in New York or elsewhere…
“I’m a really optimistic individual. I’ve by no means frightened myself a lot about that. All the time imagine issues are going to work out. That’s at all times been my mindset. Coming in I at all times understood it’s going to work out, have to remain optimistic and proceed to work onerous.”
On his slot in New York with the Knicks following final 12 months’s commerce from Toronto…
“Simply wish to thank the person above, thank my household, and I additionally wish to thank New York Metropolis for embracing me since I used to be a little bit child. I grew up in New York Metropolis, going to center faculty, highschool out right here within the metropolis. So for me, simply having the ability to come again house and characterize town means quite a bit to me. And I simply wish to thanks, New York Metropolis. I really like you guys.”
On taking part in for the Knicks in his adopted hometown of New York and doing it within the Backyard…
“Very, very cool second for me. Internal-city child, rising up within the metropolis, after all, listening to in regards to the Knicks, seeing the video games and stuff. Now having the ability to characterize town on that platform is de facto big.”
“Seeing how town accepted me and simply me being there in that individual second was very nostalgic in a manner. It was a loopy second for positive.”