Typically, the minutes are rare for Cameron Payne. Just a few right here and a few others there.
The function of Knicks backup level guard doesn’t precisely translate to frequent photographs or glamorous moments on the court docket, given the presence of Jalen Brunson.
However throughout the Knicks’ 140-106 win in opposition to the Bucks on Sunday, Payne fell one level wanting his season excessive with 18 factors on 6-for-10 capturing — together with 4-for-7 past the arc — in simply 14 minutes, offering what Josh Hart described as a “huge boost” to assist the Knicks snap a stretch of 4 losses throughout 5 video games.
“He’s someone who’s very capable of scoring the ball at a high level,” Hart mentioned. “Obviously, playing behind JB, sometimes he doesn’t get those opportunities. But we know what he’s capable of, and that’s just gonna continue to fuel his confidence and our confidence in him.”
Payne, a 30-year-old former first-round choose who signed a one-year deal, logged at the very least 20 minutes 5 instances throughout the Knicks’ first 16 video games, however that has occurred simply as soon as since — Jan. 1, when each Brunson (calf) and Miles McBride (hamstring) had been out with accidents.
In any other case, Payne’s contributions have are available in bursts.
He collected 11 factors throughout the loss to the Thunder on Friday, which marked the primary time since Dec. 23 he topped double digits, after which carried that 5-for-11 night time over into Sunday.
13 of his factors got here within the second quarter, with six approaching back-to-back 3s.
He discovered house behind the arc across the Bucks protection.
He didn’t hesitate to unleash the makes an attempt. And by the tip of the body, Payne and Karl-Anthony Cities had accounted for 26 of the Knicks’ 39 factors throughout the quarter.
And on a Knicks workforce with a lingering depth subject, with starters persevering with to log heavy minutes and coach Tom Thibodeau once more starting to face criticism for the workload he offers his beginning 5, Payne supplied a glimpse of a attainable inside resolution to repair the difficulty — with the commerce deadline lower than a month away.
“Those were big minutes, especially the way they unfolded,” Thibodeau mentioned.
