Knicks Bulletin: 'I just saw our score go up and their score didn't'

Yesterday at 07:00 AM

New York feasted on a bunch of half-baked OVOs before eating its Christmas Eve meal.

Four games, four wins. That's what your Knicks leave you with following Monday's win over the Toronto Raptors, final score 139-125, right before Santa drops the goodies in a few hours.

New York absolutely destroyed the visiting Maple OVOs and national man RJ Barrett as they gear up for a Christmas Showdown at MSG against Big Vic.

Here's what Coach Thibs and a few Knicks had to say after yesterday's affair.

Tom Thibodeau

On OG Anunoby's resilience and defensive impact:

"Just normal stuff that guys go through during the course of the season. When you play, you're going to get hit. There's things that happen, but he's playing really well.

"Just keep doing all the things that he does, the defense, and he can play at a really high level even when he doesn't shoot well. We know he's one of the best shooters in the league. So, in the end it'll be there."

On re-signing Landry Shamet and his contributions to the team:

"He's an experienced player, depth in the rotation is very important. The more guys you can trust to put into the game is important, especially for the Knicks who are really looking to round out into playoff form."

On Shamet's versatility:

"He knows how to play off people extremely well. The three-point shooting, he can handle the ball, play off the ball, the versatility with Cam [Payne] and Deuce [Miles McBride]. I think they fit well together. And he plays fast, and I think that helps."

On Shamet's quick return to the court after completing his rehab:

"That was more just to see, like, where he was in terms of getting him some games. Being in games is a lot different than practicing. So just getting that to make sure everything was good, to see how he felt the next day. So that was good. It was part of the rehab."

On Shamet potentially expanding the rotation:

"We're going to see how it unfolds. He just got here today."

On Jalen Brunson's contributions despite a slow start on Monday:

"He's gonna do whatever the game needs to win."

On Tyler Kolek's MVP-winning performance with the Westchester Knicks:

"I like the fact that [Kolek] did it within a team concept, that he came into the game and he made some 3s, but his playmaking was terrific, as well. Tyler played a great game, but they played as a team, and it's a terrific accomplishment. So we're really proud of them."

Josh Hart

On OG Anunoby's dominant performance against the Raptors:

"OG was a monster. Offensively, knocking down shots—midrange, post, threes, he did a little bit of everything. And then obviously on the defensive end, he did what he does.

"We have great vibes right now, and we just have to continue that every game."

On what he perceived during the Knicks' second-quarter run:

"I just saw our score go up and their score didn't."

On what makes Victor Wembanyama special:

"Tall as hell."

On his "Spurs are poop" tweet:

"The Spurs I was talking about are trash. Tottenham? The North London ones? Yeah, they trash."

Jalen Brunson

On a slow first quarter and the team win:

"I'm just happy we got the win. I don't really give a shit—give a crap, sorry."

On Cam Payne's hot streak:

"Happened to us last year—he came into the game in the playoffs and made some big shots when we were playing Philly.

"We all know what he's capable of."

OG Anunoby

On playing against the Raptors:

"Great energy [after the first quarter], we were getting stops, and then Cam and Deuce came in and changed the game."

On facing his former team:

"It's still weird playing against them, but it's always nice to see those people."

"I have some really good friends over there, really good people over there."

Cam Payne

On reuniting with Landry Shamet:

"A lot of ShamPayne."

On his role in changing the game's pace:

"Just came out there being aggressive, trying to change the pace of the game. It's kind of our jobs, kind of the things we do every time.

"We bring pace, we bring energy, and it's a different kind of game when we get out there."

Mikal Bridges

On playing on Christmas:

"I like a nice little noon game. That's gonna be nice."

Landry Shamet

On his return to the court:

"I was so amped up today, man, I've been chomping at the bit for a while. It just felt good to be back in the building, suit it up, be with the guys, lock in on a game plan, and be a teammate. I'm just grateful that I felt good to get in the game there at the end and kind of just see the first one go in."

On finding silver linings during injury rehab:

"I'm a big believer that things and circumstances happen for a reason, and you might not understand why in the moment, but there's a benefit, a silver lining in every situation.

"Rehab is always a roller coaster, good days, bad days, but all things considered we're nine weeks removed from that happening and I feel really good and really grateful and happy to be back in this position with this group."

Darko Rajakovic (Toronto Raptors Head Coach)

On Jalen Brunson's leadership:

"He's one of the best point guards in the world, so for us as a young team to come over here and learn against that type of player, it's amazing.

"He's such a smart player. He's really trying to make the right play for the team."

On RJ Barrett's growth and triple-double performances:

"He's learning a lot. I think he already had, like, two or three games with triple-doubles this year. He's improving. He's rebounding. Like, there is obvious growth there as well.

"Now it's for him and everybody else to start putting all of those things together."

On Immanuel Quickley's role with the Raptors:

"I think he's a great fit for us. Obviously, his three-point shooting and ability to shoot on the dribble on the move and his scorer's mentality is really, really good. And at the same time I think he is really underestimated as a playmaker.

"He really puts a lot of work in. He's very intentional about his work. He wants to be great, and I think he's a great fit for us."