NYKDalton Knecht · Jalen BrunsonNewsPresser2d

Brunson explains Knecht's first game with the Knicks.

“he played great I think the way he was rebounding getting out of transition just telling him to be aggressive no matter what the situation is... I said aggressive mistakes are fine so just stay aggressive”

NYKDalton KnechtDevelopmentPresser2d

Knecht sees himself as a three-level scorer and wants to show ball pressure and defensive rebounding.

“just like a three-level score. I think I just go out there and can impact the game at all three levels... I just want to show on the other side of the ball, getting into the ball pressure and stuff like that, and going in and grabbing defensive rebounds.”

NYKDalton KnechtMinutes & UsagePresser2d

Knecht had zero minutes planned and got in late in the first half on a gut feel.

“he's on my quote-unquote minute sheets. He's down for zero minutes. You know and it was just a gut feel to throw him in towards the end of that first half”

CLEEvan Mobley · Jarrett AllenRole & RotationPresser21h

Mobley has a bigger role with Allen out including protecting the paint.

“I think I got to play an even bigger role not having my fellow big man out there. He does a lot on the floor, protects the paint, and then offensively as well.”

CLEPeyton Watson · Jarrett AllenRole & RotationPresser21h

Ev's length and Watson's ball disruption help the defense with Allen out.

“Big time, especially defensively, right? Like, you know, obviously having J.A. out... Obviously, you have Ev, who has his length, and then Peyton, you know, who's disrupting the ball.”

CLESam MerrillRole & RotationPresser21h

Merrill started out of necessity.

“We're obviously throwing a lot of things at the wall right now... obviously forced into the Sam thing tonight. I love him off the bench... but tonight we needed him out there to stabilize us and connect us.”