Taj Gibson has played sparingly since re-signing with the Knicks in January, but the veteran big man provided the Knicks with a defensive lift in the Garden on Sunday night.
With start center Mitchell Robinson sidelined after hand surgery and substitute Nerlens Noel dropped out, Gibson was matched against All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns and came off with a key stop in the closing seconds of the Knicks’ 103-99 win over Minnesota.
With the Knicks for 99-98 and 23.2 seconds to go, Towns (27 points) missed a short jumper.
“Mentally, to be ready, for my teammates, just try to inspire, try to do what I have to do,” said Gibson, who was a teammate of Towns’ at the T’Wolves from 2017-19. Just don’t let KAT intervene. I’ve been around him for quite some time to know he wants to get in the middle of the lane and try to shoot on a running hook or a float hook.
‘It was a fight. I knew it was coming to him. I got lucky tonight. I just tried to use my body and just fight. “
Former lottery choice Frank Ntilikina has appeared in just four games this season – and none since he injured his right knee on Dec. 29. He also spent a week in his Miami hotel room for COVID-19 contact tracking earlier this month, despite constantly testing negative for the virus.
“It certainly wasn’t the best, but it was probably for everyone’s health,” said Ntilikina. “I did my best to just do some exercises in the room. I couldn’t do much. I tried to stay locked [in], stay focused on the season and on every goal. “
The Knicks planned to send underused guards Dennis Smith Jr. to the G-League for game action before being traded to Detroit for Derrick Rose, but Tom Thibodeau said “not yet” when asked whether such an assignment for Ntilikina is being considered.
Austin Rivers had only five minutes in the previous five games, but was not available on Sunday due to illness.