Overview
- Drummond produced a first-half double-double in the season opener Tuesday night, reaching roughly 10 points and 11 rebounds in about 14 minutes, a mark the team said ranks among the fastest in franchise records.
- He finished the game with 12 points and a team-high 14 rebounds in 24 minutes while also adding four assists, two blocks and a steal.
- Drummond entered earlier than planned after Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two quick fouls, creating an unexpected chance for the veteran to show his value off the bench.
- Knicks coach Mike Brown praised Drummond's first-half energy and said the team will need to manage his minutes because he and others showed signs of running out of gas in the second half.
- Signed in late September to replace Mitchell Robinson as the backup center, Drummond brings rebounding and pick-and-roll defense plus a recent uptick in 3-point attempts that could influence how New York deploys him going forward.