Julius Randle and Derrick Rose led the offensive charge in Friday night’s furious comeback win over the Bucks, combining for 55 points to help New York turn a 21-point deficit into a 15-point victory.
But beneath those robust numbers lurks the true unsung hero of Friday’s win: the defensive wizardry of Nerlens Noel.
The veteran center, in just his second game back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since before preseason action, was a +22, second behind only Rose, and grabbed 13 rebounds to help limit Giannis Antetokounmpo and get the Knicks a big win against the defending champs.
“Nerlens’ play was phenomenal,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Phenomenal.
“I thought Nerlens’ activity got us going. It got us into the open floor and got us some easy buckets.”
Antetokounmpo shot 7-for-17 and finished with 25 points, but was a -5 on the night. Noel also helped shut down Milwaukee’s pick and rolls, picked up his usual block to add to the stat sheet, and grabbed five offensive boards, giving the Knicks everything they could have asked for in the frontcourt.
“That’s who he is,” Thibodeau said. “We probably overlook all the other aspects of his defense, because we always talk about the rim protection, which is obviously elite. But his pick and roll defense is terrific as well. Just the way he can fly all over the court, he’s got great length. It gives your team energy…it changes things.”
With Noel back in the fold, the Knicks now have two elite rim protectors in himself and Mitchell Robinson, which should bode well against some of the stronger teams in the East like Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee, as well as Joel Embiid and the 76ers. Noel looks ready to meet any challenge at the rim, even in just his second game back after missing the first seven.
“The way Nerlens came back, it was huge,” Thibodeau said. “Contesting shots, rebounding, poking at the ball, getting deflections, he was very active...it was pretty amazing.”
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