Oct 26, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
3 big takeaways from Knicks’ thrilling overtime win over Hornets
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports)
2: Mitchell Robinson was a menace on the defensive end
Some fans were critical of the Knicks’ decision to sign Mitchell Robinson to a four-year, $60 million deal this offseason. However, throughout the first three games, Robinson has looked absolutely elite on defense, making things difficult for any player who crosses his path.
This game was no different, as in addition to scoring nine points and bringing down eight rebounds, Robinson also added a ridiculous six blocks.
Robinson has always been known for his blocks, however, there have been plenty of times where when Robinson isn’t getting a block, he tends to struggle defensively. This was not a factor in this game, as even when Robinson wasn’t swatting shots away, he made it almost impossible to score.
Arguably, Robinson’s best play was on the last possession of regulation. After Gordon Hayward drove past his defender, he went up on Robinson and regretted it. After a fantastic contest, Hayward’s layup smoked the backboard and didn’t even hit the rim.
The Knicks have always needed Robinson to be consistent on the defensive side of the ball, and through three games, he has been. I have nothing but praise for Robinson and his play so far. Us fans can only hope this level of play keeps up, as we know how valuable he is to this team.
![""](https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2018%2F08%2F19302926.jpeg")
$60 million deal</a> this offseason. However, throughout the first three games, Robinson has looked absolutely elite on defense, making things difficult for any player who crosses his path.</p>
<p>This game was no different, as in addition to scoring nine points and bringing down eight rebounds, Robinson also added a <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1585480517008310273" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ridiculous six blocks</a>.</p>
<p>Robinson has always been known for his blocks, however, there have been plenty of times where when Robinson isn’t getting a block, he tends to struggle defensively. This was not a factor in this game, as even when Robinson wasn’t swatting shots away, he made it almost impossible to score.</p>
<p>Arguably, Robinson’s best play was on the last possession of regulation. After Gordon Hayward drove past his defender, he went up on Robinson and regretted it. After a fantastic contest, Hayward’s layup smoked the backboard and didn’t even hit the rim.</p>
<p>The Knicks have always needed Robinson to be consistent on the defensive side of the ball, and through three games, he has been. I have nothing but praise for Robinson and his play so far. Us fans can only hope this level of play keeps up, as we know how valuable he is to this team.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The BEST part about this game </a>
</div>
<h3><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_134994" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2018/08/19303830.jpeg">![""](https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2018%2F08%2F19303830.jpeg")
in assists</a> and shut down the people who have doubted his abilities in that area, but he also showcased leadership down the stretch that the Knicks have not seen from a point guard in a very long time.</p>
<p>We knew Brunson would be very good for the Knicks, that’s just the kind of player he is. However, if he can make a star-level leap, I feel like we can almost guarantee a playoff spot for New York.</p>
<p>Regardless, the team needs this level of play <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/25/how-jalen-brunson-can-unlock-randle-renaissance-new-york-knicks/">out of Brunson</a>, as on nights like tonight when Randle and Barrett weren’t consistently hitting, they needed someone to back them up, which is exactly what Brunson did.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="o3TzvQLWs5"><p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/25/jalen-brunson-significant-impact-knicks-felt-court/">Jalen Brunson’s significant impact with Knicks is being felt on and off court</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/27/3-big-takeaways-knicks-thrilling-overtime-win-hornets/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/25/jalen-brunson-significant-impact-knicks-felt-court/embed/#?secret=o3TzvQLWs5" data-secret="o3TzvQLWs5" width="500" height="282" title="“Jalen Brunson’s significant impact with Knicks is being felt on and off court” — Daily Knicks" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div><!—pageview_candidate—>">
