Julius Randle’s ineffectiveness opened the door for Obi Toppin, and the third-year forward made the most of the opportunity.
Toppin started the fourth quarter and didn’t come out until the final seconds, playing a significant role in the Knicks’ gutty 102-93, Game 4 win over the Cavaliers at the sold-out Garden on Sunday afternoon.
Toppin scored five points and added a season-high eight rebounds, five of them offensive boards.
In his series-high 20 minutes, the Knicks outscored the Cavs by 11.
“I thought Obi was terrific,” coach Tom Thibodeau said after the Knicks took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven, opening-round series. “He gave us energy, but he also gave us rebounding.”
It was a surprising closing five: Toppin, Isaiah Hartenstein, RJ Barrett, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson.
The group put together a 15-6 run in the fourth quarter that turned the game in the Knicks’ favor for good, and Thibodeau didn’t feel the need to make a change.
“Those guys built the lead,” Thibodeau said. “Obviously whatever you think gives the team the best chance to win, that’s what you’re gonna do.”
Quentin Grimes (right shoulder contusion) missed the game.
Josh Hart started in his place.
That meant rotation minutes off the bench for Miles McBride, who hit a 3-pointer and defended Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell well in his five minutes of action.
“The coaches are gonna be pretty transparent with me, so they were like, ‘be ready, games can flow in different ways,’ so I was always trying to stay ready,” the second-year guard said. “My development coach has definitely been locked in with the film showing me a lot of things and making sure I was staying on it. And then just trust in my abilities.”
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino was one of many celebrities on hand.
Former Knick Latrell Sprewell, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, one-time Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and comedian Jon Stewart were also among those in attendance.
Fast Break
Hero
Jalen Brunson has been the best guard in this series, and he was the best player on the floor Sunday. The Knicks’ point guard scored 29 points to go with six assists, six rebounds and five made 3-pointers, and iced the game with a 3 that pushed the Knicks’ lead to 10 with 1:45 remaining.
Zero
Donovan Mitchell’s homecoming hasn’t gone as planned. After an off-game on Friday, the Elmsford, N.Y., native was worse in Game 4, recording more turnovers (six) than made field goals (five) in a forgettable 11-point performance. Mitchell missed 13 of 18 shots and was minus-eight in 42 minutes.
Unsung Hero
Josh Hart not only scored 19 points and added seven rebounds, two steals and two assists in his first playoff start as a Knick, but he spent most of the afternoon defending Mitchell. The Knicks are now 20-9 since acquiring him from the Trail Blazers.
Key Stat
16.6 Points per game the last three games for Mitchell, 12 points less than his regular-season average.
Quote of the Day
“It’s not over. Not even close to being over.”
— Jalen Brunson on the Knicks’ mentality after going up 3-1 in the series