Knicks pair RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin get into shouting match on the bench in win vs. Cavaliers

Two Knicks starters – RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin -got into a heated argument on the New York bench during the team’s win over Cleveland Friday night. 

During a timeout in the third quarter, New York starters Barrett and Toppin engaged in a shouting match and had to be separated.

Cooler heads later prevailed as the Knicks triumphed 130-116 without Julius Randle, thanks to a career-high 48 points from Jalen Brunson.

Thibodeau downplayed the conflict between RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin postgame.

‘The cameras are everywhere and it probably happens more than people realize,’ Thibodeau said. ‘It was the heat of the moment. 

Obi Toppin (L) and RJ Barrett (R) had to be separated by NYK head coach Tom Thibodeau in Q3

‘It dissipated immediately. If there’s a flare-up, go talk to each other. When they walked out together, I knew they were fine. 

‘And just move on. Win the game. When everyone wants to win, sometimes there’s a difference of opinion. Just put the team first and that’s what they did. 

‘Sometimes, there is a difference of opinion, but those guys are fine with each other. These things happen.’

Later, in the locker room, Toppin had his arm around a smiling Barrett. ‘This is my brother,’ Toppin said. ‘We’re good.’

The win was New York’s third in succession. Currently, the Knicks (45-33) are three games clear in the East’s No. 5 spot and five games clear of the play-in.

It will secure its first playoff appearance since 2021 if Dallas beat Miami Saturday night. 

Obi Toppin (L) and RJ Barrrett (R) smoothed things over as the Knicks beat the Cavs on the road

New York can smell the playoffs, with the team currently three games clear as the No. 5 seed