Karl-Anthony Cities had a enjoyable little recreation of KAT and mouse going backwards and forwards with the Wagner brothers throughout Tuesday’s blowout win in opposition to the Magic.
Cities feistily jawed with the big-man duo of Franz and Mo Wagner all through the primary half of the Knicks’ 121-106 NBA Cup-advancing victory on the Backyard.
The four-time All-Star completed with a team-high 23 factors, 15 rebounds, two blocked photographs and a plus-25 ranking throughout 36 minutes.
“NBA Cup, bringing the best out of all of us,” Cities mentioned with a smile. “Oh, I used to be dead-ass [serious]. Bringing the perfect. NBA Cup, win or go dwelling, it was like a playoff recreation. …
“NBA Cup, we’re competitors. This is a high-level competition moment, and the game means a little more. So go out there and find a way to win.”
Cities already had a double-double (14 and 10) by halftime, together with flying by way of the paint for a one-handed stuff off a feed from Jalen Brunson within the first quarter.
There additionally was one comical sequence during which Cities was posting up and backing in in opposition to Mo Wagner.
Cities paused to complain to the refs with a shrug after absorbing some laborious contact earlier than pivoting and sinking a fade-away jumper on the baseline.
“Oh you’ve never seen that? A bucket’s a bucket,” Cities quipped. “Defense gave me baseline, I took baseline. I got a fade-away jumper. A bucket’s a bucket.”
Late within the second quarter, Cities was fouled by Mo Wagner, and each gamers obtained technical fouls after Wagner clapped his arms and Cities returned the gesture.
Knicks’ win over the Magic. USA TODAY Sports activities through Reuters Con
Whereas with the Timberwolves final season, Cities additionally had thrown down a posterizing dunk on Wagner.
“I think overall, I think the physicality of the game is changing. I think that’s good,” Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “I believe it’s good that there’s extra of a steadiness to it. It’ll convey the perfect out within the competitors. And that’s what I believe folks need to see. They need to see folks compete.
“Karl’s a physical guy. As long as it’s consistent and it’s the same way for both teams, I don’t mind that at all. As a matter of fact, I like it.”
Cities additionally collected Josh Hart’s full-court heave and made a deft contact go to Mikal Bridges for a buzzer-beating rating on the finish of the primary half.
“I just want to be the best version of myself for this team,” Cities mentioned. “It’s not about getting assists. It’s how I can help this team win.”
Franz Wagner completed with a game-high 30 factors for the Magic, whereas his older brother contributed 19 factors off the bench.
