Westchester Knicks First-Ever Playoffs at Westchester County Center
The Westchester Knicks completed their second season in the NBA Developmental League with a 28-22 record, while gaining a number four-seed in the Eastern Conference D-League Playoffs. It was the first time in their two-year history that the Westchester Knicks made the Playoffs.
To say the least, the local Knicks, the D-League affiliate of the New York Knicks, made vast improvements from their inaugural season last year, when they recorded a 10-40 record and missed the 2015 Playoffs. “We have a good group of guys and we have had a good core that we have been able to keep. The players have grown since they’ve been here and I am glad they are getting the results,” said Westchester Knicks Head Coach Mike Miller.
On Tuesday, April 5, General Manager Allan Houston thanked the fans for their support and welcomed them to the Westchester County Center for the first-ever Westchester Knicks Playoff Game. “Thank you for this year; hopefully we can return this back to you,” said the Knicks GM from center court.
The Westchester Knicks first call-up in history to the NY Knicks, Langston Galloway sat courtside with his wife Sabrina watching the game. “This is a big opportunity for them to make a mark in this league and I am here to pull for them,” said Galloway. The NY Knicks guard was accompanied at courtside by his NY Knicks teammates, Kristaps Porzingis, Jose Calderon, Arron Afflalo and Kyle O’Quinn.
The Westchester Knicks played the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. The Skyforce finished the season with a record-breaking 40-10 record, while securing the most wins ever in D-League history.
The Westchester Knicks in front of a packed arena at the County Center lost Game One, 109-95, despite 20 points from Jimmer Fredette, 18 points from Jordan Bachynski and a double/double of 13 points and 11 rebounds added by Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
White Plains native Ra’Shad James, who was acquired by the Westchester Knicks on February 23, had four points and six rebounds for the local Knicks, in his first-ever D-League Playoff Game at the County Center. “It feels great. My first year playing with Reno, I was fortunate to make the Playoffs but this was a great atmosphere,” said James, who averaged 16.5 points and 4.3 rebounds this season.
Spencer Smith, a teammate of James on the Tigers 2007 team, which reached the Sectional Finals, was sitting on the baseline supporting his friend. “It is great to be able to watch Ra’Shad up close and personal. I had been watching him online and late nights when he was in Reno,” mentioned Smith.
Both Fredette and James fared better in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals but the Westchester Knicks did not. The local Knicks were swept in the three-game series, 2-0, by the Skyforce, who won Game Two, 112-105, in Sioux Falls, on Friday, April 8. Fredette lead the Knicks with 26 points and James added 17 points in the elimination game.
But it cannot be denied that the Westchester Knicks put forth a much more enjoyable season this year, which was exciting for the local fans. “Mike (Miller) and his staff have done a really good job establishing an identity for this team this year. The players are hard workers and they really want to succeed,” said Westchester Knicks GM Houston.
