Knicks rookie RJ Barrett’s first NBA game set milestones.
Barrett’s 21 points were the third-highest total for a Knick in his rookie debut. Better yet, at age 19, Barrett is the second-youngest rookie to ever ring up a 21 in his debut, after LeBron James, who was still 18 in his first NBA game.
“We lost, so it didn’t feel good,’’ Barrett said after Thursday’s practice. “But it’s my first game and hopefully I’ll have many more.”
With the Pelicans’ top-overall pick, Zion Williamson, out for two months with a knee injury, there is no reason Barrett, the third pick in the draft, won’t be in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Efficiency was a concern after his rocky performance in summer league, but he has erased those doubts.
Barrett was 9-for-12 from the field Wednesday, getting most of his points by muscling to the rack or scoring in transition. The 6-foot-7 lefty went 1-for-3 on 3-point attempts and also had two assists, two steals and five rebounds in 37 minutes as coach David Fizdale refused to take him off the floor. This could catch up with Barrett in December, but he’s relishing the extra time.
“It was good,’’ Barrett said. “There were a lot of positives, some negatives. I thought I just played my game. Everything that’s happened in the past is only in the mind now. It’s just next game now.’’
His worst moments were at point guard, where he started the game, but not the second half. He looked ill at ease bringing the ball up the court.
“I’m always comfortable,’’ Barrett said, disputing that notion. “I played the point at Duke. So it doesn’t matter where the coach puts me.’’
Before Barrett makes his Garden debut Saturday against the Celtics, he will visit Brooklyn and get the first taste of how popular the Knicks are at Barclays Center.
“Every game for me is a big game for me, really,’’ Barrett said. “It’s Game 2. Another game I get to play in the NBA.’’
While Barrett is now becoming the face of the Knicks’ franchise, fellow Dukie Kyrie Irving is trying to steal their thunder as the centerpiece for this Nets season.
“I see [Irving] as a very good NBA player,’’ Barrett said. “It’s the NBA. You’re going to play against someone good every day. You can’t think about it too much.’’
For more on the Knicks, listen to this episode of the NY Post podcast, “Big Apple Buckets”:
