The NY Knicks won over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday and backup Kevin Seraphin was key for the victory, stepping up in the fourth quarter just days after terrorist attacks rocked his home nation of France. Seraphin cut the word Paris into his hair to honor the victims of the attacks and he came off the bench to help push the Knicks to a victory.
The Knicks came into the game against the Pelicans having lost two straight and the team was able to pull things out with a strong second half performance. Carmelo Anthony had another good game with 29 points and 13 rebounds and Seraphin came on from the bench and helped spark the team with 12 points in 14 minutes. Seraphin had not been used much by the Knicks during the season so far, but on Sunday he made an impact and it came as he had a heavy heart following the attacks in his native France.
Seraphin, who was born in Cayenne, French Guiana, has played for the French national team and he said he was very emotional before the game against the Pelicans. The French anthem played before the game and Seraphin decorated his head with the word "Paris" and also an image of the Eiffel Tower and a peace sign, which was shaved into his head. Seraphin finished with 12 points, two assists and three rebounds in the game and he played a season-high 14 minutes.
Seraphin signed in the offseason to be a backup option off the bench and on Sunday he showed his value, helping the team get a 68-65 lead in the second half. Derek Fisher said to the media that Seraphin has been "working hard to keep himself in shape" despite not playing many minutes this season. The Knicks are now 5-6 this season and while the team has made some mistakes late in games this year, the team has been playing better than many predicted they would.
Kristaps Porzingis has been one of the main reasons why and the rookie has put himself firmly in the conversation for rookie of the year. Porzingis did not have a great game on Sunday while making just four of 15 shots, but he had 10 points and did enough against Anthony Davis to help the team win. Porzingis is averaging 11 points and 8.4 rebounds this season and he has been bringing energy to the front line on the offensive and defensive side of the floor.
The Knicks play the Hornets next and the team is hoping to get a win after losing to the team 95-93 last week. The team has won three of the last five games and coming up the Knicks have a tough schedule, with road games coming against Oklahoma City, Houston and Miami.