The New York Knicks currently occupy the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Toronto Raptors find themselves at the 12th spot. Despite the significant disparity in their standings, the two teams have found themselves deeply entwined in the ongoing season, with various factors contributing to the narratives. One such factor is an ongoing legal dispute between the two teams, adding complexity to their interactions. Another significant development is a recent trade that saw the Knicks sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a 2nd-round pick in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn.

As the two teams faced each other for the first time since this blockbuster trade, one might have anticipated heightened tensions in the arena. Surprisingly, the intensity from both on and off-court battles was nowhere to be seen, thanks largely to the fans who contributed to a more subdued intro to the game.

As the Madison Square Garden’s jumbotron lit up with glimpses of Quickley and RJ Barrett, the fans stood up and cheered for their former stars. As the two players made their way onto the court, they maintained poker faces, swiftly diving into their warm-up routines.

Whether the emotionless demeanor of the two players stemmed from a desire for redemption against their former team or an effort to conceal their emotions remains a topic of debate. Nevertheless, fans will witness plenty of action from RJ Barrett and Quickley in the game. The two players are consistently logging close to 30 minutes in most of their recent games, and are projected to do the same against the Knicks.

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Throughout the season, Quickley has maintained an average of 15 points, shooting over 45% from the field, and impressively close to 40% from the three-point line. Meanwhile, Barrett is contributing an average of 18.2 points, with a shooting percentage of around 40% from the field.

Jalen Brunson thinks the trade is a win-win scenario

OG Anunoby has seamlessly integrated into the first unit alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, contributing to the Knicks’ impressive 8-2 record since the trade. Meanwhile, for the Raptors, Barrett has elevated his production, averaging 20.2 points. Quickley has also shown an uptick in performance, delivering 18 points and 5.2 assists per game in his last 10 appearances.

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With that, Jalen Brunson summed up the impact of the trade, labeling it a win-win situation for both teams. While expressing gratitude for helping Brunson ease into the Knicks culture, he humorously wished that their scoring prowess wouldn’t extend to the game in New York.