The Knicks have the NBA’s sixth-best defensive rating over the past month.
In the four-plus months prior to that, New York ranked 16th in defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions).
That’s a large discrepancy.
When you ask players about the defensive jump, there’s one factor they cite most often: Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson’s season debut was Feb. 28, following a lengthy rehab on his surgically repaired ankle/foot.
The Knicks wanted to bring him along slowly, have him healthy and in rhythm by the time the playoffs rolled around.
It seems like things are trending in the right direction.
Robinson has had to shake off rust over the past four-plus weeks. But recently, he’s shown flashes of the rim-protecting, pick-and-roll-disrupting big man the Knicks grew accustomed to over the past two-plus seasons.
“The last month and a half, he’s been a monster defensively,” said Josh Hart. “Blowing up screens, blowing up handoffs, like a free safety on that backside.”
The Knicks’ net rating is +4.8 with Robinson on the court.
They rank fifth in the NBA in turnovers and ninth in opponent three-point percentage.
“When you have somebody like that out there, then everybody gets more aggressive,” Tom Thibodeau said after Sunday’s 110-93 win over Portland. “… He’s an elite pick-and-roll defender. His anticipation at the rim, he can cover up for mistakes. His communication is really good, and I think his understanding of what we’re doing is really good.”
Robinson, again, was a key factor in the Knicks’ resurgence Sunday.
During his 15 minutes, New York outscored Portland by 19. He had four rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
Sunday’s win was New York’s third straight. The Knicks have treaded water without Jalen Brunson and — more recently — Miles McBride and Cam Payne. All three guards should all be back before the end of the regular season.
So New York’s rotation will look different entering the first round of the playoffs. But barring injury, that rotation will still have Robinson coming off the bench. And if the past few weeks are any indication, the Knicks’ defense will be stronger because of it.
WRIGHT MOVE
One adjustment New York made that worked Sunday? Delon Wright switched to defend Anfernee Simons. Wright stifled Simons in the third quarter and helped limit him to 1-of-11 shooting in the second half.
Simons, in the first half, was defended at times by Mikal Bridges. OG Anunoby also contested a few of Simons’ attempts in the first half. Bridges helped throw Simons off late in the third quarter.
Anunoby and Bridges were tremendous again on offense. Both finished with 28 points. Bridges had seven assists, and Anunoby had three steals and two blocks.
BRUNSON DOING ALL HE CAN
Brunson spoke to reporters before the game. Here is a detailed account of his comments.
One of Brunson’s remarks that stood out to me was on his conditioning. He won’t be in game shape when he gets back on the court.
But he has been doing conditioning work in the pool and, more recently, on the court, in an attempt to keep his conditioning at a high level.
“I’ve been able to do stuff to maintain, but I feel like it’s definitely going to take a hit,” Brunson said. “(The rehab is) not in-game reps. Out-of-game conditioning is different from just traditional conditioning, so I’m working my way back towards that.
“I feel like I’ve been working my ass off, so we’ll see.”
I still expect Brunson to play in a handful of games before the regular season ends.
New York has eight games remaining, starting with Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. tipoff against Philadelphia.
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