The Knicks have the sixth best defensive note from the NBA in the last month.
During the four months and more of that, New York ranked 16th in defensive efficiency (points authorized for 100 possessions).
It is a big difference.
When you ask the players about the defensive jump, there is a factor that they most often quote: Mitchell Robinson.
The beginnings of the Robinson season took place on February 28, after a long rehabilitation on its surgically repaired ankle / foot.
The Knicks wanted to take him slowly, to make it and in rhythm when the qualifiers took place.
Things seem to tend in the right direction.
Robinson had to shake the rust in the past four weeks and more. But recently, he showed lightning of the great man protecting the rim and disturbing the pick-and-roll to which the Knicks have used in the past two seasons and more.
"Last and a half, he was a defensively monster," said Josh Hart. "Sauté screens, explode transfers, such as free safety in the back."
The net hill of the Knicks is +4.8 with Robinson on the ground.
They rank fifth in the NBA in turnover and ninth in percentage of three points.
"When you have someone like that there, then everyone becomes more aggressive," Tom Thibodeau said afterwards 110-93 Sunday victory over Portland. "… he is a defender of Pick-And-Roll of an elite. His anticipation at the edge, he can dissipate for errors. His communication is really good, and I think her understanding of what we are doing is really good."
Robinson, once again, was a key factor in the resurgence of Knicks on Sunday.
During its 15 minutes, New York dominated Portland at 19. He had four rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
Sunday’s victory was New York’s third consecutive line. Knicks have water late without Jalen Brunson And – more recently – Miles McBride And Cam Payne. The three guards should all be back before the end of the regular season.
New York’s rotation will therefore be different when entering the first round of the playoffs. But unless injuries, this rotation will always get Robinson out of the bench. And if the last few weeks are an indication, the defense of the Knicks will be stronger because of this.
March 30, 2025; New York, New York, United States; The New York Knicks goalkeeper Delon Wright (0) Dribble while the Portland Trail Blazers Dalano Banton (5) defends during the second half at the Madison Square Garden. Compulsory credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Wright Move
Did a New York adjustment do this on Sunday? Delon Wright Changed to defend Anfernee Simons. Wright suffocated Simons in the third trimester and helped limit him to shooting 1 out of 11 in the second period.
Simons, in the first half, was sometimes defended by Mikal Bridges. OG Anunoby Also challenged some of Simons attempts in the first half. Bridges helped reject Simons at the end of the third quarter.
Anunoby and Bridges were again great in attack. The two finished with 28 points. Bridges collected seven assists and Anunoby succeeded in three interceptions and two blocks.
Brunson does everything he can
Brunson spoke to journalists before the match. Here is a detailed account of his comments.
One of the remarks of Brunson who marked me was on his conditioning. He will not be in the form of a game when he returns to the field.
But he did packaging work in the swimming pool and, more recently, in the field, in order to maintain his packaging at a high level.
"I was able to do things to maintain, but I have the impression that it will certainly take a hit," Said Brunson. "(Rehabilitation is) Not representatives at stake. Packaging outside the game is different from simple traditional conditioning, so I come back to this.
"I feel like I have worked my ass, so we will see."
I’m still Expect Brunson to play in a handful of games Before the end of the regular season.
New York still has eight games, from 7:30 p.m. from 7:30 p.m. to Philadelphia.
