Tom Thibodeau often praises Knicks’ roster for his versatility, with the ability to offer his offensive through All-Star striker Julius Randle and veteran goalkeeper Alec Burks, if necessary.
Such a need has never been more immediate for the Knicks this season than it was on Thursday night, when those two players faced off in a 94-93 victory over Orlando with their first three goalkeepers – Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose and debutant Immanuel Quickley – all unavailable.
After suffering crushing losses earlier this week against the Nets and the 76ers in their final possession, Reggie Bullock sealed victory for the Knicks as a team with a band of Evan Fournier in the final seconds.
“Very importantly, we needed a victory in a bad way and we knew we couldn’t leave without a victory today, especially on our home field,” said Randle, whose second triple-double in six days and third. of the season presented a career-high 17 assists. “It simply came to our notice then. I won the game defensively, as I did all year.
“I am proud of our team. We had to get a victory and that’s what we did. ”
Randle also recorded 18 points in 8-for-20 shots and scored 10 rebounds while the Knicks climbed back to .500 again to 21-21, equivalent to last year’s win total (21-45 ). He became the first Knick to record at least three triple-doubles in a season since Micheal Ray Richardson posted seven in 1981-82.
“I talked about this from the beginning, when I mentioned to you about his leadership. It was a night when he didn’t shoot the ball great, but he played great “, said Thibodeau. “She did different things for us. The 17 assistants say it all, right there. He made everyone around us better and we had to find a way to win. ”
Burks moved to the starting lineup and scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, while Frank Ntilikina started and finished with 13 points.
Bullock, usually a rookie, also drilled six triples for 20 points in 36 minutes off the bench for the Knicks, who will face the 76ers again in first place at Garden on Sunday.
“It’s about fighting and that’s a big part of this league,” Thibodeau said. “I like these guys. “We are beginning to see the results of all the additional training and work that people are doing.”
The Magic Slider (nine straight losses) recovered Fournier (23 points) and Aaron Gordon (17) from injury, but they were also thin on guard – playing without Markelle Fultz (knee), Michael-Carter Williams ( disease) and rookie Cole Anthony (ribs).
Knicks did not have Payton (hamstring) or Rose (health and safety protocols), as well as the continued absence of starting center Mitchell Robinson (hand). Quickley was added to that injury list on Thursday night, suffering from an ankle problem suffered on Tuesday against the 76ers.
“That’s exactly it, we have more than enough to earn and we have guys who can play more positions,” Thibodeau said. “When you’re called up, go out there and play well.”
The Knicks led by up to 16 points in the third, ahead of a 19-2 Magic race, giving them a 75-74 lead just one minute into the final quarter. The Knicks regained the lead in the 3-point corner of Ntilikina with 3:49 remaining, and Randle sank two jumpers as part of a 10-0 run for a 92-87 lead with less than two minutes left.
Magic won a late ball after tying Bullock and they had a chance to win the game in their final possession. But Bullock intercepted Fournier’s passing attempt with 5.9 seconds left.
“The coach always talks about ‘the next man up’ and everyone who was inserted tonight had an effect on the game,” Bullock said. “It was certainly important for us to close it.
“We’ve had two hard-fought games in our last two losses, so we definitely had to take it and start building as we return home for a [four-game] lie down and make a profit. ”