Mikal Bridges led the New York Knicks to a decisive 119-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, scoring a remarkable 30 points, including an impressive 19 points in the third quarter alone. This win marks New York's fourth consecutive victory, bringing their record to 29-18 for the season.
In addition to Bridges' stellar performance, OG Anunoby made significant contributions against his former team, finishing the game with 26 points and achieving a season-high of six steals. His all-around game helped the Knicks secure a commanding win.
Despite having only eight points, Karl-Anthony Towns made a considerable impact on the boards, pulling down 22 rebounds, which allowed New York multiple second-chance opportunities. The Raptors, now 29-20, faced disappointment as their four-game winning streak came to an end.
On the other side of the court, Scottie Barnes recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto. Brandon Ingram also played well, contributing 27 points and six rebounds to the Raptors’ efforts. RJ Barrett, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, added 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
Rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles made his return to the Raptors lineup after an injury to his thumb, managing to score four points and secure five rebounds. However, the team continued to miss center Jakob Poeltl, who remained sidelined with a lower back issue.
Takeaways
Before the match, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic emphasized the importance of securing offensive rebounds as a key to their success. However, Towns' dominance on the boards provided the Knicks with several second or third chances, which ultimately helped them pull away from Toronto.
In the first half, Toronto displayed solid defense and efficient scoring, reaching a lead of as much as 12 points at one stage. However, the game took a turn when they suffered from poor ball management; the Raptors turned the ball over eight times in the third quarter. This led to a critical 13-0 run by the Knicks, allowing New York to finish the third quarter with a 12-point lead heading into the final period.
Key Moment
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Mikal Bridges scored 11 consecutive points in the final 2:36 of the third quarter. This scoring burst propelled New York to a strong lead that they maintained through the conclusion of the game.
Key Stat
Notably, Toronto has now dropped to 0-8 against the Knicks since trading OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa to New York in exchange for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley on December 30, 2023.
Up Next
The Toronto Raptors will look to bounce back as they prepare to visit the Orlando Magic on Friday, aiming to shift the momentum back in their favor after this disappointing defeat.
