The Knicks and their fans went the classy route and welcomed back two popular former players to the Garden, but they also made sure to ultimately spoil the homecomings of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in the end.
Jalen Brunson heard even louder chants of “MVP” multiple times during his fourth straight game with at least 30 points, finishing with 38 and nine assists to front the rolling Knicks to an emphatic 126-100 victory Saturday night over the Raptors.
Julius Randle also recorded his first triple-double of the season — 18 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists — as the Knicks improved to 26-17 overall — and to 9-2 since the trade that imported OG Anunoby along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn from Toronto on Dec. 30.
“RJ and Quick were terrific, nothing but love and respect for the both of them,” Tom Thibodeau said. “But we’re thrilled to have OG. Malachi and Precious, as well.
“Those decisions are tough decisions, and both organizations have to do what’s best for their team.”
Anunoby enjoyed yet another active two-way game since his arrival, finishing with 14 points, three blocks and a plus-20 rating over 37 minutes. Achiuwa added 14 points — easily his high since the trade — with Isaiah Hartenstein departing in the third quarter with a sore left ankle.
Barrett scored a team-high 20 points and Quickley contributed 12 with 11 assists for the Raptors (16-27), who also traded away former All-Star big man Pascal Siakam earlier in the week.
Josh Hart returned to the Knicks’ rotation after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Wizards, scoring 10 points with nine rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.
The MSG fans rose to their feet and cheered loudly as Quickley and Barrett were introduced with Toronto’s starting lineup, and they warmly applauded again when a joint video tribute was played on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter.
Before the game, the 23-year-old Barrett had said it was “definitely weird right now” to be back in New York as a visiting player, and he reiterated that “it’d be nice” to receive some love from his former home fans.
Quickley had written a lengthy post earlier this month on The Players’ Tribune, thanking the Knicks’ fans and the organization for his three-plus seasons in New York.
Asked if he plans to do something similar on social media, Barrett responded, “Absolutely, but I’ll post it [Sunday]. I’ve been waiting for this game.”
Quickley added that he normally doesn’t get emotional, but he allowed that Saturday’s return visit to the Garden might change that. “I dont cry during movies, so I’d probably say not that much, but this one will be — I’ma try not to cry,” he said.
Quickley drained a straightaway 3-pointer for his new team’s first points, with the play kept alive by an offensive board by Barrett.
Quickley returned the favor with a feed to Barrett for a dunk on the ensuing Toronto possession, and each former Knick converted a traditional three-point play as the Raptors built a 27-16 lead in the first seven minutes.
Brunson nailed three 3-pointers and netted 13 in the period, however, and the Knicks closed on a 10-2 run — including treys by Randle and Hart — to pull even at 31-31 through one.
After Achiuwa put the Knicks ahead early in the second, Anunoby netted his first points of the game with a layup and then rejected Barrett’s shot at the other end.
Anunoby drove the lane for another layup and sank a mid-range jumper for six points in the quarter, as the Knicks reached intermission nursing a 59-57 advantage.
Brunson and Randle posted 15 points apiece in the half, but Barrett also had 15 to pace the Raptors.
Brunson drilled a 3-ball from the corner early in the third, helping the Knicks extend their lead to nine.
The Knicks’ point guard also poured in nine straight Knick points later in the quarter, before Randle found a cutting Anunoby for a two-handed dunk to help build a 14-point advantage entering the final period.