Mike Brown’s sentiment was telling.
The Knicks coach went out of his way to praise the surging Jordan Clarkson, who is playing his way back into the rotation.
“Jordan has been playing well on both ends of the floor,” Brown said after the Knicks’ 121-116 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. “He’s giving it to us defensively and he’s giving it to us offensively. I tell ya, his ability to read the defense and make timely cuts and finish in that painted area is a lot of fun to watch. It just adds another dimension to what we’re trying to do.”
Clarkson, who was expected to be a key addition to the bench unit when the Knicks signed him this offseason, started the year playing meaningful minutes but appeared buried on the bench for most of the middle of the year.
During this seven-game winning streak, though, he has regained an important role. He finished with 10 points and five assists Tuesday.
Most importantly, he is showing off different parts of his game, particularly his defending.
He’s always been known as a shot-happy microwave scorer, but it’s been his effort — and focus — on the defensive end that is earning him minutes again.
“You can see the level of awareness and sense of urgency that he plays with now, especially on that end of the floor,” Brown said. “What I like more than anything else is his physicality on the ball. You feel him. He’s relentless with it.”
Miles McBride has progressed to scrimmaging in his rehab from surgery to repair a sports hernia.
He had already been taking contact in practice. McBride has not played since Jan 27.
McBride went through a normal workout on the court prior to Tuesday’s game.
It’s not the first time that he has worked out prior to a game, but it continues to be a positive development in his rehab.
Mohamed Diawara’s jersey from his rookie debut — in which he only played 34 seconds and did not register a stat — sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $5,376 on Monday.
The Knicks sent Ariel Hukporti to the G-League to play with the Westchester Knicks rather than have him available against the Pelicans.
Hukporti recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks with Westchester.
Karl-Anthony Towns was named the NBA’s Community Assist Award winner for February.
He was recognized for “leading a digital coat drive to support local families in need, investing in youth development initiatives in the Dominican Republic and serving as a consistent advocate for social justice and underserved communities.”
Towns was presented with a plaque by president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley prior to Tuesday’s game.
The NBA and NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the Dominican Women’s Development Center in honor of Towns’ efforts.
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