Barrett scores 28 as Knicks beat Clippers 110-102
The Knicks snap a three-game home losing streak as they defeat the Clippers, 110-102. (2:03)
NEW YORK -- — RJ Barrett had 28 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, and the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-102 on Sunday.
Julius Randle had 24 points and nine rebounds, helping New York stop a three-game slide. Evan Fournier made four of the Knicks’ 16 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.
With Barrett leading the way once again, the Knicks never trailed.
The 21-year-old Barrett is averaging 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists over his last 10 games, shooting 44% from the field and 44% behind the 3-point line.
“I am hungry for more. I want more for the team, but for myself as well," Barrett said. "I think that if I continue to be aggressive like I’ve been the past couple of games, like I was tonight, I think probably anything is possible.
"I want to continue to be able to make plays like I did today, score and defend and rebound, really do it all out there on the court for the team and kind of be the guy that does whatever the team needs.”
New York coach Tom Thibodeau credited Barrett’s recent stretch to his overall growth and playing to the team’s pace.
“I think he is gaining more experience," he said. "I think he has the confidence level that has come from his preparation. And now he has been through the league a few times, so I think he is growing every day, you see it. He is playing at a better pace which is important for us.”
Cam Reddish, Barrett’s former teammate at Duke, made his debut for the Knicks after he was acquired from Atlanta in a Jan. 13 trade. The No. 10 pick in the 2019 NBA draft had two points and two rebounds in five minutes of action.
Reggie Jackson scored 26 points for the Clippers, and Ivica Zubac had 17 points and 13 rebounds. Los Angeles has lost seven of its last 10 games.
Barrett scored 17 to help the Knicks to a 66-61 halftime lead. New York shot 24 for 49 from the field in the first half, including 11 for 21 from 3-point range.
Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said the Clippers did not do enough to make Barrett take shots with his right hand.
“We know he can score the basketball, but he had 28 points and 28 points was all on going left,” Lue said. “We talked coming into the game that we got to keep him off his left hand. He’s too good going to his left and he got there time and time again.”
Alec Burks’ 3-pointer lifted the Knicks to a 101-88 lead with 7:35 left in the fourth quarter.
Jackson then paced a 6-0 run with a floater and a 3-pointer for Los Angeles. But Randle responded with a driving layup and Fournier connected from long range to make it 106-94 with 4:52 left.
Terance Mann’s dunk with 31.3 seconds remaining got the Clippers within six. But Burks made two foul shots to help the Knicks close it out.
TIP-INS
Clippers: Los Angeles is 7-5 against the Eastern Conference this season. … Dropped to 8-13 on the road this season.
Knicks: Point guard Kemba Walker was held out due to a sore left knee. He is expected to play at Cleveland on Monday. ... Forward Mitchell Robinson left early in the third quarter after he sprained his left ankle.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Continue their eight-game road trip when they visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.
Knicks: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, their first of three games on the road.
------
NBA News
Cleanthony Early on his time with the New York Knicks - 'Basketball stopped being fun'
Six years after an unceremonious end to his time with the New York Knicks, 31-year-old small forward Cleanthony Early is in his element with the Cape Town Tigers at the Basketball Africa League.
Los Angeles Lakers' head-coaching finalists include Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, ex-Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, sources say
Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham and former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts are among the candidates who have advanced to the final round of interviews for the Lakers' coaching job, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Could the Celtics' powerful defense lead them to a championship?
Kendrick Perkins and Amar'e Stoudemire discuss how the strength and versatility of the Celtics' defense could help Boston go all the way.
Regular Season Series
2021-22 Pacific Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix | 64 | 18 | .780 | 0 | L1 |
Golden State | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11 | W5 |
LA Clippers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22 | W5 |
LA Lakers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 31 | W2 |
Sacramento | 30 | 52 | .366 | 34 | W1 |
2021-22 Atlantic Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston | 51 | 31 | .622 | 0 | W1 |
Philadelphia | 51 | 31 | .622 | 0 | W2 |
Toronto | 48 | 34 | .585 | 3 | L1 |
Brooklyn | 44 | 38 | .537 | 7 | W4 |
New York | 37 | 45 | .451 | 14 | W2 |