The hottest team in the NBA right now are the New York Knickerbockers. Behind the play of Julius Randle, the Knicks are on an eight-game win streak. The play of Randle in the last month or so has been astounding. His line from last night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks was a total of 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. The group that the Knicks have put together is the most unlikely to be on this run, but with just four weeks until the playoffs, it is time to notice.
Over the course of the win streak, the Knicks have wins over five teams in the top-8 of their respective conferences. That includes the Grizzlies, Lakers, Mavericks, Hornets, and Hawks. In the hotly contested race for the four, five, six, and seven seeds the Knicks have shot up to that coveted 4th spot. Two of those eight straight wins came in overtime wins. Showing their grit and determination in hard-fought games.
It wasn’t just the Randle show. Derrick Rose hit rookie Obi Toppin in stride on the outlet.
D.Rose hits the rook Toppin in stride!pic.twitter.com/VNMYD2IlI6
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 22, 2021
The Hawks went at the Knicks this game. John Collins got this tough basket.
Glad to see John Collins back and healthy ?pic.twitter.com/PaTVZl7s6c
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 22, 2021
Unfortunately, the Hawk’s Trae Young went out of the game with an ankle sprain.
Trae Young had to exit tonight’s game with an ankle sprain…#prayersup pic.twitter.com/sadjp7yZke
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 22, 2021
He seems to be in good spirits though, taking to Twitter.
God had my back with this one..
Be back soon??#WeMove— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 22, 2021
Atlanta would have to go the rest of the way without Young.
Randle started to really put it on as the game got into the nitty-gritty. His play elevated the Knicks in overtime, but Immanuel Quickley hit the big shot to put the game away.
The ball movement, the shot. The smile and skip to the bench, how do you not love IQ?
Immanuel Quickley seals the @nyknicks 8th straight victory! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/cGLGTRiFdH
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2021
With assistant coach Mike Woodson headed to coach the Indiana Hoosiers, Randle bid farewell to his coach with a signed jersey.
Julius Randle gave former Knicks assistant coach Mike Woodson his signed jersey after the game. Cool.@ESPNNBA | @J30_RANDLEpic.twitter.com/XF05xTm3vk
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) April 22, 2021
The Knicks are going to be taking on the Raptors on Saturday at 1:00 PM. Then next Monday they have a matchup against the Phoneix Suns. Chris Paul is now fifth on the All-Time NBA Assists list, passing Magic Johnson. That is a game that will test the Knicks more than any other over the course of the last couple of weeks.
