Knicks Get Throwback Performance From Jordan Clarkson

Jalen Brunson’s first words following the New York Knicks victory over the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in the third annual NBA Cup was a shoutout to his teammates.

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson and Mitchell Robinson, they played their ass off tonight,” the captain said after almost unanimously winning the Cup MVP award. “We don’t win this without these guys.”

Clarkson Once Again Comes Up Big Off The Bench

Anunoby was a defensive force while chipping in 28 points and 9 rebounds. Robinson grabbed a whopping 10 offensive rebounds. Kolek played the best game of his young career. And there was the 33-year-old Clarkson, who helped the Knicks overcome a 11-point third quarter deficit with 13 of his 15 points coming in the second half.

Throughout his career, Clarkson has established himself as one of the league's premier hired guns — a guy who can bring quick points, high energy and hot streaks. His flashy playmaking, scoring propensity and ability to hit contested shots has made Clarkson one of the league’s most valuable players off the bench since being drafted 46th overall in 2014. It’s also made him more than $190 million over the years.

Clarkson has never been an All-Star or darling among the analytic community. He’s streaky as they come and has started less than a third of his career games. But the 6-foot-3 combo guard has come to define the modern sixth-man specialist archetype by feasting against opposing second units. In 778 career games with the Lakers, Cavaliers, Jazz and Knicks, he’s averaged 15.8 points.

With one of the worst reserve-play in the league last season, the Knicks brought in the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year on a veteran’s minimum contract this summer after he reached a buyout with Utah. Although Clarkson regressed during the last two seasons, there was a need for his savvy-scoring punch and ability to go off at any moment.

Clarkson Has Been One Of The Most Prolific Bench Scorers Ever

Despite suiting up in every game this year, Clarkson has struggled to find his rhythm. The team’s elder statesman is averaging a career low 19.8 minutes and 9.6 points per game while shooting a ghastly 28.6% from three. There’s been plenty of Clarkson chucking up early-in-the-shot-clock bricks on night’s he’s not his old microwavable self.