This was more like Obi Toppin, whom the Knicks thought they were receiving.
The lottery election continues its way back after suffering a tense calf in the opening of the season, Sunday marking only the fourth game in the NBA. But Toppin took a look at what could come next, recording 12 career points and five rebounds from the bench in the Knicks’ 105-75 victory over TD Garden.
“Any coach needs to do it, I’m willing to do it,” Toppin said. “Whatever helps the team win, I’m willing to do that. And I will continue to learn and improve every day. We have wonderful teammates and coaches around me who will push me to be great every day. And I look forward to that day, to be great. ”
Toppin shot 5 of 8 from the field and 2 of 4 from beyond the arc in 17 minutes, the most he has played since the first game of the season. He said his conditioning is “pretty good” after missing 10 games.
“He did a great job preparing to play again,” said coach Tom Thibodeau. “Every time he went out, he got better and better. And his defense really comes. He is a truly gifted offensive player. ”
Toppin showed a strong connection with his debutant teammate, Immanuel Quickley, and the goalkeeper fed him with four of his five goals on the field, including an alley-oop.
Mitchell Robinson, who suffered a contusion heel injury on Friday against the Knights, was hit again in the first quarter on Sunday when he fell hard after blocking a 3-pointer. He said his knee had the worst, which showed while he seemed to be moving slowly when he returned in the second trimester.
“It’s okay so far,” Robinson said. “Just keep getting treatment and see if I can handle it.”
The Knicks will play the second half of the month back-to-back against Magic on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a significant game for Reggie Bullock.
“Using my platform, I need to raise awareness of a lot of social issues that are happening across America,” Bullock said. “I think it’s great for us to play that day. I’m very proud to do it, to play with my team and compete. Knicks are a huge franchise. It is great for us to use our platform and play for an excellent organization. “We are playing MLK Day to continue to raise awareness of all the social issues that are happening in America right now.” We play on MLK Day to continue to be aware of all the social issues that are happening in America right now. ”
Thibodeau left the door open for Alec Burks (left ankle sprain) to return, possibly on Monday, after a “good day” of training on Saturday.
– Additional reporting by Marc Berman