SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — RJ Barrett called Sunday’s performance sad. Obi Toppin said it was “ridiculous.”
The ugly home loss to the Thunder, when the Knicks allowed a whopping 145 points — the most since Tom Thibodeau arrived — drew a lot of reactions, and it led to a players-only dinner Monday night in Utah to figure things out.
“Just trying to hold each other accountable,” RJ Barrett said after shootaround on Tuesday. “Trying to get this going because we want to win.”
The dinner was called by Julius Randle, according to Barrett, at what could be a seminal moment in the Knicks’ season. They have struggled immensely on the defensive end of late and have lost six of their last nine games entering a difficult five-game road trip in which they will be an underdog in each game. The season is beginning to trend in the wrong direction.
Knicks forward Julius Randle reacts during a loss to the Thunder on Nov. 13, 2022.Noah K. Murray
Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) collides with the Thunder’s Lu Dort on Nov. 13, 2022.USA TODAY Sports“It was good, good to have a team dinner like that,” said Barrett, who was benched for most of the second half against the Thunder. “Try to figure this out the best that we can. We all care, trying to get this going on the right track.”
Thibodeau has begun to come under criticism with the Knicks 24th in defensive rating, second-to-last in made 3-pointers allowed per game (14.1) and their effort lacking in recent losses to the Nets and Thunder. While the offense has improved adopting a more fast-paced style, it hasn’t translated into more victories yet. But the Knicks’ players haven’t lost confidence in the coach.
“His body of work speaks for itself,” Barrett said. “He knows what he’s doing.”
