Knicks Notes: Robinson, Payne, Game 5, Defense

Knicks middle Mitchell Robinson helped New York prolong its postseason with a 111-94 Sport 5 victory over Indiana on Thursday evening, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post.

Robinson has been beginning within the stead of guard Josh Hart since Sport 3 of the Jap Convention Finals. That stated, Hart continues to be taking part in starter’s minutes, even because the crew’s new sixth man, averaging 12 minutes per sport greater than Robinson.

“It’s just matchups and what’s going on in the game,” head coach Tom Thibodeau stated of his choice to maintain Robinson within the beginning 5. “Sometimes it’s impacted by foul trouble as well.”

Robinson logged six factors, six boards, two blocks and a steal in 20 minutes of motion. Past the statistics, Robinson’s protection in opposition to Indiana helped the Knicks construct out a 20-point lead halfway by the third quarter.

The 26-year-old shall be on an expiring $13MM deal subsequent season. His well being has been an ongoing query mark all through his professional profession, however his defensive upside might put him in line for a elevate on an extension and/or make him an intriguing asset for rival groups.

There’s extra out of New York:

• Knicks reserve guard Cameron Payne has fallen out of New York’s rotation whilst Thibodeau has constructed out his bench rotation to incorporate veterans Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, notes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post (subscriber hyperlink). Payne had suited up for all of New York’s first 14 playoff bouts, averaging 7.2 MPG. He has now been a wholesome scratch in every of the Knicks’ final three video games. Payne, on an expiring veteran’s minimal contract, could also be taking part in himself out of a future in New York.
• On the point of elimination, the Knicks now reside to combat one other day after shellacking Indiana in Sport 5. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber hyperlink) provides his report card, awarding All-Star guard Jalen Brunson an A for his 32 factors on 12-of-18 capturing from the sphere. “I’m just very proud of what we did,” Brunson stated, per SNY.television (Twitter link). “Now, we’ve just got to replicate it in the first quarter of next game and then continue to build on that.”
• The Knicks’ aggressive protection proved vital in stopping the very best efforts of the Pacers’ finest participant, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, notes Schwartz in another piece. Haliburton notched a turnover-free 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double in Sport 4. All-Defensive swingman Mikal Bridges served as Haliburton’s major defender in Sport 5. Haliburton didn’t join from the ground till the third quarter. The 2-time All-Star shot simply 2-of-8 from the ground to complete with eight factors. Robinson’s versatile protection proved essential in opposition to the Pacers everywhere in the ground. Shamet and Wright chipped in defensively, too.