Knicks storm the Clippers in the fourth quarter to take the W

The Knicks closed out a challenging homestand on a high note, delivering a solid 111-97 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. After a nip-and-tuck battle in the first three quarters, the Knicks came alive in the final frame, outscoring the Clippers 35-21, securing their third win of the season.

Julius Randle led the the Knicks, registering a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Randle shot 9-21 from the field and was effective on both ends of the floor.

RJ Barrett, returning to action after missing the previous two games due to a sore knee, had an immediate impact. Barrett’s explosive scoring, contributing 26 points, gave the Knicks a significant boost. In the closing moments, Barrett drained a three-pointer, assisted by Jalen Brunson, to establish the Knicks’ largest lead at 111-94 with just over two minutes remaining.

Moreover, Barrett established a new franchise record, becoming the youngest Knick to reach 5.000 points, a record previous held by Patrick Ewing.

“That’s pretty cool. Just testament to all the work and the trust the organization has had in me and all my coaches, so just going to continue to work. I’m grateful it came on a night we got a win.”

– RJ Barrett

The Clippers, sporting a revamped lineup, featured their newest acquisition, James Harden. Harden failed to get the win in his Clipper debut, despite notching 17 points. A three-pointer from “The Beard” late in the third quarter gave the Clippers their final lead at 76-73.

However, the Knicks had their own plans, and Immanuel Quickley sparked the comeback effort. Quickley’s clutch three-pointer tied the game, and the Knicks scored seven straight to complete a 10-0 run as they entered the fourth quarter. The Clippers never quite recovered from this sudden burst of Knickerbocker momentum.

From the bench, Donte DiVicenzo made his presence felt with 12 points, showcasing his long-range accuracy by hitting 3-of-5 from behind the arc, while also adding six rebounds. Josh Hart contributed 10 points and seven assists, demonstrating the Knicks’ depth and versatility.

The Clippers, boasting stars like Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, and Harden, had their moments but fell short in this showdown. Leonard finished with 18 points, while Westbrook and Harden each contributed 17 points. Norman Powell, coming off the bench, provided a spark with 14 points.

One of the key differentiators in this game was the Knicks’ dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Clippers 48-31. Additionally, the Knicks demonstrated their prowess in the paint, outscoring the Clippers 56-38 in that critical area.

The Clippers’ quest for their first road win was once again unfulfilled, dropping their record to 3-3 on the season. Meanwhile, the Knicks improved to 3-4, leaving the Garden faithful with a sense of optimism as they head out on the road to face new challenges.

Up-next: The Knicks (3-4) will host the Spurs (3-4) on Wednesday nigh from 7:30 pm. This game will also mark the highly anticipated unveiling of their new city edition uniforms.