RJ Barrett scores career-high 46, but Knicks lose to Heat

RJ Barrett was playing at the best level of his career on Friday, but it wasn't enough to get the Knicks past the East's top team.

Barrett scored a career-high 46 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but the rest of the Knicks couldn't get it done as they lost to the Heat, 115-100. He was the only New York player to score more than 13 points.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Barrett's 46 points are the most by a Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony had 46 on Nov. 14, 2014, also in a loss (that time to the Jazz).

Barrett got off to a modest start, scoring four points in the opening eight-plus minutes of action. He started to cook down the stretch in the first, however, pouring in another nine points on a pair of threes and an and-one layup over the final 3:34 in the period.

He turned it up even higher in the second. After sitting the first few minutes, he checked into the game at the 6:51 mark. He flipped the switch right away and took the game over, scoring all 17 of the Knicks' points for the rest of the quarter and ending the half with 30 points.

It was the most points in a half by Barrett thus far in his career, and per ESPN Stats & Info is the third-most in the first half by a Knicks player in the last 25 years.

Barrett slowed down a bit in the second half but was still effective, adding 16 more points to record a career high. The rest of the Knicks couldn't match his energy as they scored just 25 in the first half and 54 overall in the game aside Barrett's sterling performance.

Through 48 games this season, Barrett is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest. He's continued to show steady improvement in his third season and has raised his scoring numbers each year.

The game wasn't the only negative blow the Knicks took on Friday. Derrick Rose's return from injury was delayed even further after he underwent another surgery, and rookie Quentin Grimes had to be helped off the floor in the first quarter with a dislocated right kneecap.