RJ Barrett: The Youngest Knick to 5000 Points

RJ Barrett made Knicks history twice on Monday. He’s now the youngest to 5000 points and inside the top 30 on the all-time scoring list.

RJ Barrett’s four-plus years with the New York Knicks have been filled with highs and lows: from playoff runs and game-winners to trade rumors and lottery seasons. His bully-ball style, slow starts to seasons, and battles with efficiency have made him a lightning rod among certain segments of the fanbase, but one thing has always been true: the guy produces.

Nothing could demonstrate that clearer than the fact that on Monday night, in a win against the new-look Los Angeles Clippers, the Maple Mamba became the youngest Knick ever to reach 5000 points, a record previously held by an age-25 Patrick Ewing. The achievement came with the additional milestone of passing Phil Jackson to move into 30th on the Knicks’ all-time scoring leaderboard.

HEYYY 😤

5K CAREER POINTS 👏 pic.twitter.com/sF6fgrDJVD
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 7, 2023

RJ is currently off to the best season start of his career and has been the team’s clear best player in the five games he’s suited up for, averaging 22 points per game while hitting 44% of his threes. It’s unlikely that level of efficiency holds for the whole season, but Barrett has also looked more comfortable and patient attacking the rim and has even flashed some improved touch off-the-bounce in the midrange.

With a tough schedule and Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson struggling out the gate, Barrett’s impact has been all the more needed, so now feels like a perfect time to celebrate the young wing.