Westchester Knicks Stay "Locked-In" - Named NBA G League Showcase Cup Tournament Champions
By Westchester Knicks Staff /December 23, 2023
NEW YORK – December 23, 2023 – The Westchester Knicks (12-4), the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks, defeated the Indiana Mad Ants (15-1) on December 22nd, 107-99, to be crowned the 2023-24 NBA G League Showcase Cup Tournament Champions.
The #2 seeded Knicks got off to a hot start against the #1 seeded Mad Ants, pushing the tempo, and establishing a 14-4 lead early in the fourth quarter, The Mad Ants kept their composure and battled their way back, to tie the game 14-14 in the first quarter. This would kickstart the Mad Ants offense and allow them to take the lead going into halftime 49-58.
The Knicks stayed the course, remaining motivated and focused, and came out of halftime with the defensive intensity that has them ranked number one in defensive rating across the G League, forcing the Mad Ants to commit 7 turnovers in the third quarter (22 overall).
DeSagana Diop said on the team defense after the game, “It’s a credit to these guys from day one…they locked-in from training camp to now and…play hard. Every time we step on the court, we want to play harder than the other team on the court.”
The Knicks took the lead at the 6:33 mark in the third quarter to go up 69-66, on a Dylan Windler (16 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists) 3-point basket. Jacob Toppin led all scorers with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. Once the Knicks took the lead, they held their ground and kept the momentum going, with the entire team contributing to maintain the lead. Charlie Brown Jr. was the second leading scorer on the team with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 threes. Isaiah Roby recorded 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Mamadi Diakite had 8 points and 2 blocks, including a thunderous dunk that amped up the entire team, but no one was more critical to the win over the Mad Ants than the Knicks veteran and leader at the point guard spot, Brandon Goodwin.
Goodwin was named the 2023 G League Winter Showcase MVP. Goodwin secured 13 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals to end the night in a victory over the Indiana Mad Ants. Goodwin has played in all but one game this year (Rest), and has averaged 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
The Westchester Knicks look to keep the momentum going against the Raptors 905, December 27th, for the start of the regular season. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. at the Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY.