RJ Barrett had 24 points and nine rebounds and the Knicks dominated the Los Angeles Clippers in a 116-93 win on Sunday night, breaking New York's seven-game losing skid.
Emmanuel Quickley added 21 points off the bench and Cam Radish added 15 of his 17 points in the fourth for the Knicks, who used big scoring runs to open the second and fourth quarters of a game in which he led 32 points. .
"Tonight the fight was from start to finish," said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. "Hopefully we can build on this."
Reserve Amir Coffey scored 16 points to lead the Clippers, whose five-match winning streak ended at the hands of one of the worst teams in the East.
“It feels great to have that win. We needed that bad,” said Michelle Robinson. "They were playing very well too."
The Knicks scored 10 points in the first of the fourth, led by the Reddish with eight to extend their lead to 90–68. Barrett was the only starter to survive against the Clippers' reserves until he had five minutes left.
The Knicks made another strong start in the third to take a 74-48 lead. He started 15-8, taking six points from Robinson and four from Barrett.
"The ball went around and the energy was high," Robinson said.
Reggie Jackson missed a hand stung during the 20-6 bounce that sent the Clippers into the fourth trailing 80-68. Five players scored, with Coffey hitting a 3-pointer and four free throws.
The Knicks outscored the Clippers 34-18 in the second quarter to take a 19-point lead. New York started with 16 straight points, making 8 of 8 free throws and receiving eight points from Barrett. He finished with 16 points in the quarter.
"The tone of the game was set with the start in the first five minutes," Thibodeau said. "The defense was really good and the willingness to make extra passes took the momentum off the offensive."
The Clippers didn't score on Luke Kennard's 3-pointer until halfway through second - one of three he scored in the period. He cut the lead by 11 points and entered halftime to lead 59-40 before New York closed out for 11-3.
Tip-ins
Knicks: Improved 13-19 on the road. ... Julius Randall was fined $50,000 by the league for pushing Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson, contacting a referee who was trying to sabotage the brawl on Friday and its ensuing investigation. was refusing to participate. ... Taj Gibson did not play due to illness.
Clippers: They went ahead 57-43. ... Paul George, with a torn ligament in his right elbow since December, has been shooting with his right arm, which coach Tyrone Lew says, "I think is a lot better." ... His five-game winning streak included three wins over the Lakers and two wins over Houston.
Next
Knicks: In the second game of back-to-back Mondays in Sacramento.
Clippers: Tuesday in the Golden State. The Clippers won by 15 points last month and are 1-2 versus the Warriors this season.