As they prepared for Wednesday’s meeting with the Nets, a game that they admitted even with the close proximity of the franchises wasn’t yet a rivalry, the Knicks brought on reinforcements.
Playing shorthanded because of injuries, unlike the COVID and contact tracing shutdowns facing other teams, the Knicks brought a three-game losing streak into this game at Madison Square Garden. But they upgraded and activated a pair of big men to help - rookie Obi Toppin and veteran Taj Gibson.
Toppin, the No. 8 overall pick, has not played since opening night when he suffered a strained calf muscle.