News Knicks Team Notes

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘You saw me with my shirt off. Them abs was poppin’

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images

New York keeps working on completing the quest on not beating a damn favorite.

It was another day in the office for the Knicks, who inched closer to reaching the playoffs without ever beating a legitimate contender through the regular season.

On Wednesday, it was the Cavs they went against, and all New York did was give up a 15-point lead to end up losing 124-105 to Cleveland inside MSG. Sheesh...

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers had to say about this thing...

Your Knicks are in third up 3 games with 6 left pic.twitter.com/8J88KywuqC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 3, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On struggling against elite teams:

“Obviously the good teams, they’re going to have records like that against other teams. You have to play really well to beat them. And we understand that. But you also have to look at all the factors that go into it. Is it a back-to-back? Do they have two days of rest? What’s their situation? We’re capable of beating anyone. We’re capable of losing to anyone, too.”

On learning from losses to top teams:

“Every game is revealing to you, telling you things that you need to work on. It also tells you things that you’re doing well. There’s always a lot of challenges.

“Sometimes when you look at the regular season, the variables that you sometimes don’t look at: Who’s out for them? Who’s out for you? Where are you in terms of rest advantage, disadvantage? Where are they? So those things do figure into it.

“But you strive to get better each and every day. You’re seeing it now. And we’ve dealt with it all year. Mitch missed the first 60 games of the season. That’s a lot. It was an opportunity for other guys to get in there and grow. We’re seeing it now with Jalen being out.

“We have more than enough. Next guy get in there and get the job done. Understand what the job is, get in there and execute.”

On injury updates:

“Those guys, they’re close. They’re not quite there. Cam’s in the same boat and Jalen’s getting pretty close as well. Deuce and Cam should be any day.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s rebounding and energy:

“You can see it — and as time goes on, it gets better and better. He usually has a couple guys on him and he still has the ability to get the ball, which is a credit to him. And he’s a big multiple-effort guy, so we need that pressure. Those extra possessions are huge for us.”

For the second year in a row Jalen Brunson has been named a Finalist for the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award pic.twitter.com/21NMv8ttcW

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 2, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On the Cavaliers’ third-quarter run:

“It changed the whole outlook of the game. When you’re already down three rotation guys. Two more basically are out of the game because of fouls, it changed the whole outlook. We were still up at that point. Got to just give them credit. That’s a good team. They’re No. 1 in the East for a reason. Got to tip your cap to them at times.”

On the difficulty regaining rhythm during the Cavs run earsing the 15-point difference:

“When they started going on that run, it was tough to stabilize or kind of slow things down and get us back into a rhythm.”

On the lowered expectations facing Cleveland with so many injured players:

“I don’t know. We just have to go out there and compete. We’re down…no one knows what [Karl-Anthony Towns] is doing, but I’m not sure if Mitch is going to play. Obviously JB and Cam and Deuce, I don’t think are going to be ready.

“You know, it’s the second game of a back-to-back, so we just got to go out there and compete. I think that’s the biggest thing. You know, some games it’s tough to put a lot of stock in. But this one, obviously they’re a heck of a team. They’re the number one team in the East for a reason and they’re going to come out — I think they haven’t played in a couple days so they’re going to have energy and attention to detail.

“So, we’re just going to have to come out and try to match that energy and compete.”

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On the Knicks’ postseason outlook despite their regular-season struggles vs. elite teams:

“It’s 0-0 when you get to [the playoffs]. That would be the tell.

“I don’t think anything right now should ruin our confidence or make this team feel any other way but extremely confident with the work we put in.”

Final box from Cleveland plus a 1st half box and 2nd half box to tell the story pic.twitter.com/UHCFnxQwkm

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 3, 2025​

Mitchell Robinson​

On his birthday performance vs. Philadelphia:

“Honestly I think this [was my best birthday game]. I believe it was this one.

“Coming out there with high energy. We had guys out so next man up. That was the mentality.”

On his conditioning after a long absence:

“[My] legs heavy. [The] conditioning not there. You know, missing 10 months is a loooong time, but I feel like with all the practices we done had, the shootarounds, it’s starting to catch up. That helps a lot.”

On his physical transformation and dropping weight during his rehab:

“I ain’t like how I looked. You saw me with my shirt off. Them abs was poppin’.

“It was the diet. It was a lot of stuff, but I’m not finna speak on it.”

"Those are the types of teams…I expect them all to be in the mix…How does your team finish in the playoffs…that's gonna really determine who feels they're a KD away"

– Shams lists Knicks among teams with "mutual interest" with Kevin Durant at deadlinepic.twitter.com/8efry8CkuC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 2, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-saw-me-with-my-shirt-off-them-abs-was-poppin

 

[New York Knicks]

Point guard acquired in afterthought trade now playing himself into playoff rotation?

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Wright over Payne? Some think it’s possible.

When the Knicks traded backup big Jericho Sims to the Bucks for veteran point guard Delon Wright, the majority of the fanbase was split into two camps. One camp wondered why they’d trade away an imperfect, yet clearly useful young center (a position lacking depth), for an older point guard (a position of strength) that was unlikely to get any real minutes. And the other camp could not care less, seeing it as a lateral move that wouldn’t ultimately impact the team in any way whatsoever.

After Sims’ first few games as a Buck though, those that were in the first camp saw some of their worst fears come to fruition as the big man had a very solid stretch of games while Wright spent his first few weeks in New York wracking up DNPs as he watched Jalen Brunson, Cam Payne, Deuce McBride, and even Tyler Kolek pick up all of the point guard minutes. Now, Sims still wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard, or stuffing the stat sheet, but he was doing what he has always done a good switch defender, contest shots at the rim, and rebound at a decent rate, and that was much more than what Wright had been doing.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, and Sims though, he’s been out since March 16th with a torn ligament in his thumb. And since then, the trade has been less about Sims, and the player he could potentially develop into in Milwaukee, and more about Wright and the minutes he has provided for the Knicks.

As mentioned earlier, the Knicks, who roster five point guards when fully healthy, had too much depth at the one. But with Brunson, and Payne out with an ankle injury, McBride out with a groin injury, and Tom Thibodeau unsurprisingly shying away from giving the rookie Kolek big minutes, it’s been Wright who has been thrust not just into the rotation, but the starting lineup. And during his short stint as a starter, the Knicks are 3-1 and have played some really nice basketball.

I do want to be cautious though. This is in no way a suggestion that Wright has changed the trajectory of the season, or that he’s been putting up any notable stats. Because he hasn’t. At the end of the day, he’s a backup point guard, whose lone wins as a starter have come against a Bucks team without Damian Lillard, and Bobby Portis, a Trail Blazers team that has been surprisingly good, but still ultimately a lottery team, and an injury-riddled 76ers team in the midst of one of the most disastrous seasons they’ve had this millennium. But if you have watched Wright as the floor general for the Knicks over the last few games, it’s clear that he’s been a net positive, and that’s caught the attention of a lot of fans.

I dont rlly know whos minutes delon would take but he has to play

— H̷y̷a̷t̷t̷ (@hyattwatcher) April 2, 2025​

Aye man Delon Wright is really moving me as a rotation player

— Omar (@KingBacca22x) April 2, 2025​

Delon Wright gonna fool around and earn some playoff minutes.

— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) April 2, 2025​

With the way Delon Wright has played, Thibs might have to make a tough rotation decision come playoffs.

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) April 2, 2025​

Delon Wright is pretty good. His skill set suits this group perfectly.

I wonder if he’ll play when everyone’s healthy. It’s worth discussing.

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) April 2, 2025​

In his last four games, the veteran is averaging 9.5PPG, 4APG, 3.5RPG, 1.7SPG, and 0.5BPG while shooting 48.3% from the field, and 35.7% from three. Offensively, he’s not forcing much, letting the game come to him, and getting guys involved. And defensively, his size and quick hands have allowed him to be a more consistent, and reliable defender than Brunson, Payne, and Kolek. And while fans may be torn over the idea, Wright may have forced himself into the backup point guard conversation.

delon wright HOOPIN

ya love to see it pic.twitter.com/z2rIQUjNZx

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2025​

(delon) WRIGHT ON TARGET to og pic.twitter.com/3VGIn8yI3R

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2025​

Delon Wright Precious Achiuwa pic.twitter.com/cyKpyXu4AJ

— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) April 3, 2025​

McBride, when, and if he’s ready, is sure to get a good chunk of minutes given his shooting, and defense. But Wright, despite being an inferior scorer to Payne, and an inferior playmaker to Kolek, may give Thibodeau and the Knicks the best combination of skills. A bench backcourt of McBride and Wright could give most opposing second units a lot of trouble with their defense, and offensively, Wright’s tendency to be a more traditional pass-first guard would allow McBride and the rest of the offense to fall into place.

It is a tough decision to make because Payne has had some really nice moments this season, and as we saw in last year’s playoff series against Philadelphia, Payne, and players like Payne, have the potential to turn the tide of playoff games solely off of energy. And in the end, this is a good problem to have if you are Thibodeau or the Knicks. But the truth is, it is no longer a foregone conclusion and is worth discussing now.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ade-now-playing-himself-into-playoff-rotation

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘I stick to my ways and know myself’

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

New York didn’t host an NBA game yesterday, but the Knicks kept leaking soundbites.

No basketball in New York yesterday. No basketball in New York today.

The Knicks didn’t play, and while the Nets did, Brooklyn doesn’t count.

Here’s what we have missed from Coach Thibs, a few Knickerbockers, and other gentlemen in the past few hours.

"I have a great job here. No regrets"

– Knicks assistant Tom Thibodeau after Knicks lost in Portland this day in 2002

Loss put Knicks out of playoffs 1st time in 15 years

Thibs had almost joined Blazers staff in summer

Would've joined Blazer & former Knick Rick Brunson pic.twitter.com/xoXLwprgiy

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 4, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On OG Anunoby’s form:

“He’s got a great mix going right now with attacking the rim, getting to the line and high-volume 3s—he’s not hesitating.

“It’s really, really good basketball. And his defense is elite.”

On Delon Wright’s performances of late:

“[Wright has] shown everyone he’s more than capable. We like the job that he’s done.”

On Jalen Brunson’s injury status:

“He’s cleared for basketball activities.”

On when Deuce McBride will make his return:

“Any day now.”

Josh Hart​

On Anunoby’s offensive shift:

“I’m not sure how many times you’ve guys have seen it—in transition or semi-transition—and he gets the ball with a head of steam. I feel like, earlier in the season, he’d kick it out and get the ball moving. Now, he’s realized that he’s a 6-foot-8, 245-pound demon. He’s put his head down and getting to the rim, layups, dunks and fouls. He’s put that little step-through gather step into his mid-post package. It’s helped him a little bit. We love him being aggressive.”

On reintegrating Brunson:

“I think it’ll be a little bit of an adjustment period. For me, it’ll be easy because I played with him for 2 ¹/₂ years.

“The blessing of having him out that long is OG’s been playing unbelievably. [Bridges] has been playing great. [Karl-Anthony Towns] has been playing great. So now there might be a little adjustment in terms of him reintegrating and getting his shots, and playmaking, but also getting those other guys involved.

“It won’t be the same capacity obviously, but we want to get those guys involved when J.B. is out of the game, when J.B. is in the game. It might be a blessing.

“We’ve got a couple of games before playoffs to figure that out.”

Mitchell Robinson to OG Anunoby on IG: “That’s my f*ckin demon right there ” pic.twitter.com/pxP8d2XQhO

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 3, 2025​

OG Anunoby​

On playoff mindset:

“I know when the season’s done and playoffs are starting, it’s time to play the best. Everyone thinks that way.

“You want to be peaking at the end. That’s everyone’s goal.”

Delon Wright on IG: “ ” pic.twitter.com/yxclFdUqvB

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 3, 2025​

Delon Wright​

On his offensive role:

“Sometimes I have to be more aggressive looking to score. I’m pretty sure that’s what the scouting report is—he’s going to try to pass. So I could look at the basket more and make the right play from there, whether it’s score or pass.

“Getting to the paint and passing is something I like to do. It is who I am. I’m used to not trying to do too much. People want me to do more, actually, try to do more on the offensive end, try to score more.

“I stick to my ways and know myself. I’m not trying to do too much and getting the ball to the right people.”

Carmelo Anthony​

On Kiyan’s McDonald’s All-American snub:

“(Kiyan Anthony) ain’t lose in high school yet, in his senior year yet.

“They’re the No. 3 in the country. What are we sitting here talking about? How? That’s my perspective on it.

“I think he got jerked. I think he deserved (being named a McDonald’s All-American).”

Gilbert Arenas speaks on Kiyan Anthony not being selected for the McDonald’s all American game pic.twitter.com/naLEC8BejY

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) April 3, 2025​

Gilbert Arenas​

On Kiyan Anthony not being selected for McDAAG:

“The ‘King of New York’ was not in the McDonald’s All-American Game. Kiyan ‘The King of New York’ Anthony wasn’t invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game in New York.

“These are moments you cannot miss. This is a full-circle moment. You had the father on a McDonald’s commercial... You for sure thought Kiyan was going to be in the goddamn game. It was only right.

“Ranked No. 1 in New York City, I mean, come on, y’all!”

"A pigeon guarding me"

-– Ja Morant to Taylor Rooks on 7'0" Kel'el Ware after hitting the game winner over him pic.twitter.com/0OqAhgWind

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 4, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...s-bulletin-i-stick-to-my-ways-and-know-myself

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘There’s a lot of stuff in this league that gets faked’

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Jalen Brunson is back, blare all New York’s alarms!

Amid a crucial stretch of games for many teams—not the Knicks—New York got the most anticipated and best possible news ahead of their back-to-back set of games through the weekend.

Yes, you guessed right: Jalen Brunson will return to the court either Saturday or Sunday, hopefully appear in four of the six remaining games, and earn the right to contend for season-end awards. Yessir!

Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks ahead of the games against the Hawks and Suns on Sat. and Sun.

Thibodeau said Brunson, McBride and Payne all practiced - sounds like return for all in one of the games this weekend. Said Hukporti is not close to return.

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 4, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On lineup decisions facing another back-to-back:

“It’s more of how (players) feel and what we think is best given all the factors that are involved, and just make a good decision.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s performance since returning from injury:

“Mitch [who missed the first four months of the season while recovering from ankle surgery] still isn’t where he will be. Each week he’s gotten better so it’s had a greater impact.

“I think as his time increases, the defense will get better, too, and there’s different looks that we can give, because when you have [Karl-Anthony Towns] and him and OG [Anunoby] across the front line, it’s hard to get the ball in the paint.”

On Brunson’s conditioning:

“From the first day out, he’s put a lot of time into that. I think that’s part of his awareness and obviously it was an ankle so it was a bit more challenging.

“But he spent a lot more time in the pool, on the bike, he’s been on it from the beginning. He was working out 2–3 times a day, but there’s nothing you can do that can replicate the intensity of a game.”

On Brunson’s return to team activities:

“He’s done a lot of individual stuff, but he hasn’t done any of the team stuff [until Friday].

“I think that part was really good. It was up and down, and the contact part is really the big thing.”

On Brunson’s leadership:

“He has a unique way of leading. Not a big rah-rah vocal guy. Most of those guys say all the right things and do none of them.

“I’m more like: What’s a guy do every day? Are you early to practice? Do you practice hard? Do you concentrate? Do you give maximum effort all the time? Are you a good teammate? Do you help lift people up? Those are the things I think are more important than yapping.

“Everything matters — rehab, getting to practice early, getting to the plane early, getting to the meetings early, staying late, coming back at night. You can’t fake that. There’s a lot of stuff in this league that gets faked. He doesn’t fake it. You can come by anytime, and you’ll see him. That’s why he doesn’t have to say anything. Everyone sees it.”

On making decisions for players returning from injury:

“When guys are coming back—they can look good today, which they all did—but then how do they feel tomorrow? It’s more of how they feel and what we think is best, given all factors involved. We just need to make a good decision.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s rehab status:

“He’s a ways away.”

OG Anunoby thinks he should be First-Team All-Defense and Defensive Player of the Year: “I’ve always felt that way.” #Knicks

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) April 4, 2025​

OG Anunoby​

On earning All-Defensive honors:

“It’s pretty important to me. It’s an effort thing. It’s playing hard and helping teams win. So I think it’s important.”

On deserving to win Defensive Player of the Year:

“That’s important too. I think I should be on first-team All-Defense. I think I should win Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’ve always felt that way.”

On how opponents play him:

“People don’t attack if I’m guarding them. Or they’ll call for a screen. I’ve noticed that over the years. I’ve always known it. I’ve always known people do that—like, calling for a screener to get me off them.

“There’s no stats for that. There’s no stat for picking up a dribble to pass. Or shot attempts—like no shot attempts, there’s no stat for that. So, they can’t really tell.

“And big men... they just always give (DPOY) to the big men.”

On his enhanced durability this season:

“Yeah, it’s always been a goal to get stronger as the year goes on. So I’m proud of it. Yeah, I worked really hard.”

On staying locked in late in the season:

“When I’m playing, for sure, playing hard and playing the right way. Then also thinking toward the playoffs and just being in rhythm for that. Knowing that’s what really matters.”

On team health nearing the playoffs:

“It’s good. Exciting for everyone to be almost back. It’s good to see everyone getting healthier.”

Hart on how Brunson looked: “Scored a lot of buckets, gave up a lot of buckets. So normal.”

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) April 4, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On his ridiculous availability:

“I always said the biggest thing is availability when it comes to being in the league. I want to play as many games as I can.

“I want to play. Last year I played 81, should have played 82. I was kind of in a mood for that one game [against the Wizards on Jan. 18], so I ended up missing that one.

“Yeah, man, I want to play. It’s the first time in my career where I’m putting together high 70s, 80 games played. So that’s what I want to do.”

On staying fresh late in the season:

“I try to get a little bit more sleep. This is the time of the year when that sucks because I’ve got kids and want to spend time with them.

“At the beginning of the season, even if we get home at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., I’d be up at 7:30, 8 o’clock so I could see the kids. Now I might have to stay in bed a little bit longer and not see them when they go to school.

“I try to prioritize sleep a bit more, along with weight room work.”

On Brunson’s first team practice:

“He looked good. Got a lot of buckets, gave up a lot of buckets. So about normal.”

Kevin Garnett (Former NBA Player)​

On Carmelo Anthony’s physicality:

“Melo, man... Before the conversion of the 3–4, I think [Denver] played with him at [the two or three]. And he was just too physical for the twos, and he was just too physical for the threes.

“He was the way more physical specimen in every matchup he played.”

Paul Pierce (Former NBA Player)​

On guarding Melo:

“I didn’t mind guarding [Kobe] or Bron. You know, they’ll get their numbers and stuff, but I relish guarding them.

“Melo is trying to give you 40 and kind of hurt you doing it. Shouldering your chest, elbows, grabbing, all of that.

“I actually hated guarding Melo.”

pic.twitter.com/StSohiQhmr

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 5, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...a-lot-of-stuff-in-this-league-that-gets-faked

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 121, Hawks 105: “Wow we’re on a heater as a team.”

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Paint Job: Knicks dominate undermanned Hawks to win the season series.

After losing their first two games against the Atlanta Hawks (36–41), the New York Knicks (49–28) tied up the season series with two close wins (one in overtime). Today’s Hawks were missing two important frontcourt pieces, and we assumed they would be vulnerable in the paint. Geez, were they ever. Led by a 30–11 double-double from Karl-Anthony Towns, 24 points from OG Anunoby (on 9-of-17 shooting), and a near triple-double from Josh Hart (16 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds), the Knickerbockers beat the feathers out of the Hawks, 121–105.

After falling behind early, the Knicks blitzed the Hawks with elite defense, fast breaks, and paint dominance—led by Josh Hart and OG Anunoby—building a 31-point lead by halftime behind 67% shooting, 11 threes, and their highest-scoring first half of the season. The dominance continued in the second half with more sharp shooting and focused defense.

Quoth @back: “Wow, we’re on a heater as a team.” At one point this afternoon, I checked the box score and had the same response. What a beautiful sight when all the Knicks are scoring efficiently—and notching defensive stats to boot.

For the Hawks, F. Trae Young scored a frustrated 16 points and nine assists on 5-of-15 shooting from the floor. Caris LeVert and Terance Mann contributed 14 points apiece off the bench. And what a lovely afternoon it turned out be.

First Half​

Trailing 3–8 after an F. Trae Young triple, the Knicks erupted with steals, fast breaks, and sharp shooting, led by Josh Hart’s eight points and three steals in the opening frame. Yet again, OG Anunoby’s two-way brilliance anchored them in Brunson’s absence. Fueled by a 10–2 and an 11–3 run, New York built a 27–17 lead with four and a half minutes left, displaying crisp ball movement (10 assists on their first 14 field goals) and lockdown defense (five first-quarter steals).

Knicks working for scheme versatility, Karl-Anthony Towns at the level vs. Trae Young in P&R. Two on the ball but you see the help from Bridges/Hart. Intrigued to see how much the Knicks mix it in. pic.twitter.com/PxXf0IeZ9i

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 5, 2025​

Atlanta answered with a LeVert three, a Young floater, and a few scrappy plays from Dyson Daniels to end the quarter on a 7–2 run, trimming the deficit to 38–31. During the action, Towns briefly exited after jamming the thumb he injured in January, but Precious Achiuwa filled in admirably until his return.

The Knicks exploded in the second quarter, stretching their lead from 13 to as many as 31. With Capela and Jalen Johnson out, Atlanta’s interior was exposed, and New York relentlessly attacked the paint. Aside from seven threes, all of their Q2 field goals came in the paint—which helped to collapse the defense and free up shooters on the perimeter. Scoring 40 in the quarter, the Knicks took a 78–53 lead into halftime, and that’s their highest first-half total this season.

Bridges drains the 3 off the ball movement to extend the lead

Knicks are on a 14-1 run on NBA League Pass. pic.twitter.com/hhSr3jAuNh

— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2025​

They did it by shooting 67% from the field, 11-of-16 from three, forcing 11 turnovers, and dominating in the paint, on the glass, and in transition. Four of the Knicks starters had scored in double-digits, and Landry Shamet was +17 off the bench. It was one of their finest halves all year.

The Knicks are lighting it up from beyond the arc

11 threes in the first half!

Catch the second half of NYK-ATL on NBA League Pass. pic.twitter.com/C8ovw0ysQJ

— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2025​

Second Half​

The Knicks rocketed out of halftime, continuing where they left off with efficient offense and disciplined defense. Josh Hart set the pace with a three-pointer and multiple assists, including a dime to OG Anunoby for a thunderous dunk. Towns continued his all-around impact, cleaning the glass, drawing fouls, and hitting free throws to keep the pressure on Atlanta.

One key sequence saw Delon Wright and Landry Shamet knock down threes, while Hart stuffed the stat sheet with boards and buckets. Despite a few late scores from Vit Krejci and Caris LeVert, the Knicks maintained control, stretching their lead to as many as 34.

ANUNOBY INCOMING pic.twitter.com/TqZ0pIv17z

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 5, 2025​

Although not on the injury report, Tyler Kolek sat throughout the blowout. The camera did catch him energetically tying his shoes, however. Whatever you gotta do to stay ready, Tyler!

The Knicks entered the fourth up 108–80 and never let up, with Karl-Anthony Towns fueling the offense early and Precious Achiuwa adding inside scoring. Atlanta got brief life from threes by Risacher and Young, but New York quickly reasserted control, extending the lead to 29.

those kat-like reflexes ‍ pic.twitter.com/vOsbNfNDhq

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 5, 2025​

Atlanta went on a 14-1 run late in the quarter. Ahead by 21 with 2:24 minutes left, Anunoby checked out, having logged 35 minutes. Hart finally subbed out at 1:33, one rebound shy of a triple-double. He played 32. At least these guys don’t have to get on a plane and zip back to New York to play again tomorrow night. Oh, wait. . . .

Up Next​

The Phoenix Suns meet up with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-121-hawks-105-wow-were-on-a-heater-as-a-team

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Preview: Knicks vs Suns, April 6, 2025

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Brunson returns as Knicks eye 50th win vs. slumping Suns

The New York Knicks (49–28) return to Madison Square Garden tonight for a 7:00 PM ET tip against the Phoenix Suns (35–42), with a significant boost on the way: Jalen Brunson is expected to make his return. With just a few games remaining, New York hopes to lock down their fiftieth win and the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks are coming off a convincing 121–105 win over the Hawks in Atlanta yesterday. Meanwhile, the Suns were beaten up in Beantown on Friday, their fifth loss in a row (which followed a four-game win streak). Sitting two games out of the Western Conference play-in picture, they’re desperate to keep their season alive. Kevin Durant remains out with an ankle injury, so the offensive burden falls on Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The latter shot 0-of-7 in that Boston loss and recorded one point in his 38 minutes. All hail Leon Rose for not chasing that albatross.

The Knicks and Suns last faced off on November 20, 2024, in Phoenix, where New York rolled to a 138–122. Jalen Brunson scored 36 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 34. The Knicks came out blazing, shooting 72.7% from deep in the first quarter, and never looked back. Devin Booker posted 33 for the Suns, for Phoenix, missing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Joining Book and Beal in the front court, look for rookie Ryan Dunn (6.4 PPG, 43% FG), Royce O’Neale (9.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG), and rookie Oso Ighodaro (4 PPG, 3.6 RPG).

Prediction​

ESPN.com favors New York at 64%. Groovy. The Knicks are certainly poised for a strong showing against a Suns team clinging to playoff hopes.

The Captain would love to replicate his 36-point outburst from his last game against Phoenix, but he’s sure to be a little rusty. We expect him to have a minute restriction in his return from a sprained ankle that sidelined him for 15 games. Phoenix’s Devin Booker continues to score efficiently, but without Kevin Durant, it’s tough sledding, and he’s saddled with two greenhorns in the starting lineup. Karl-Anthony Towns remains a steady force in the frontcourt, and OG Anunoby has unlocked a career-best, other level. The Knicks are well-positioned to take care of business, notch their fiftieth win, and celebrate the Captain’s return with a +15 victory.

Game Details​

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

TV Broadcast: MSG

Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/6/24402340/game-preview-knicks-vs-suns-april-6-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 112, Suns 98: Scenes from the half century mark.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

The Knicks record consecutive 50 win seasons for the first time in 30 years.

Yesterday, the short-handed New York Knicks (50–28) crushed the Hawks. Tonight, they were finally close to full strength. Jalen Brunson returned after a 15-game absence with an ankle sprain; Miles McBride was back after missing eight with a groin injury; and Mitchell Robinson, still working into game shape, was cleared to play. The second night of a back-to-back can be tricky, but the struggling, Durant-less Suns (35–43)—set to finish below .500 for the first time since 2019–20 and riding a five-game skid—seemed like easy pickings at Madison Square Garden.

And mostly, they were. Final score: 112-98.

As expected, Brunson looked rusty, getting stripped twice in his first seven minutes. Devin Booker sparked Phoenix with a few jumpers but offset them with two turnovers of his own. The Suns missed 9 of 10 threes, yet New York’s seven turnovers kept the game tight. A bright spot: McBride came in and promptly drilled two triples. Despite sloppy ball control, the Knicks shot 11-of-19 from the field, hit 50% from deep, and tallied 10 assists to take a 27–23 lead into the break.

In the second period, our heroes went on a 12-2 run to attain a 15 point advantage. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 11 of his 15 first-half points to lead the pack, and he finished the night with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Nice sequence, this:

first the rejection then the bucket

KAT really doin it all pic.twitter.com/dJdmhqb3IV

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 6, 2025​

Despite another 1-for-9 showing from deep, Phoenix clawed back with rebounds, second-chance points, and another Brunson turnover. Booker (20 first-half points) and Grayson Allen (10) led the charge, cutting the deficit to seven before a corner three from Bridges made it 53–43 at the break. Mikal had an efficient half with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while Brunson managed just five points on three attempts in 15 minutes.

Folks, meet Bradley Beal. He missed all seven shots on Friday in Boston and all five in tonight’s first half. Quite a streak!

Knicks commentator ROASTED Bradley Beal after he missed a layup

"Beal has been inept, incompetent, incoherent as a Sun"
pic.twitter.com/n49xZTZBXJ

— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) April 7, 2025​

OG Anunoby led a dominant third quarter for the Knicks, hitting multiple threes, throwing down a dunk, and scarfing up rebounds to extend New York’s lead to 87–70. His efficient scoring (32 points on 13-of-17 from the field and 6-of-8 from deep) and two-way play powered the Knicks, while Phoenix struggled with turnovers and missed shots. Despite brief sparks from Booker and Oso Ighodaro, the Suns couldn’t match New York’s pace or execution.

HEAT CHECK.

OG Anunoby's up to 19 in the 3rd quarter on 7-7 from the field! pic.twitter.com/SJthBNZtn3

— NBA (@NBA) April 7, 2025​

The Suns opened the fourth with a 17–6 run, slicing the lead to six as the Knicks went over six minutes without a bucket. OG stopped the bleeding with his 30th point, but sloppy play let Phoenix close within five with about two minutes left. Then Brunson, 0-for-3 from deep until then, buried a clutch three to give New York the cushion it needed to lock up win number 50.

JALEN BRUNSON IS CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/aW99cJ3GH3

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 7, 2025​

Up Next​

Chef Miranda is roasting your recap to a golden brown crisp. The Knickerbockers get a day off and then return to the Garden on Tuesday, when the Boston Celtics visit. Sleep well, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

P.S.: Here’s OG with the 360.

OG Anunoby goes 360 to put the on the Knicks win pic.twitter.com/tpjMAV2hrv

— NBA (@NBA) April 7, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...112-suns-98-scenes-from-the-half-century-mark

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 112, Suns 98: “O-sanity”

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Mama, there goes that man again . . .

In this, my 35th year following the New York Knicks, I’ve seen something I haven’t since year two. That something has given me hope I may sooner than later see something else I never have before: a Knick title. That something’s been on display the past month or so, never more “on” than in New York’s 112-98 win last night over Phoenix.

The 1992 Knicks were the only MJ-era Knicks to win a playoff game in Chicago and take the Bulls to seven games. The biggest reason why was literally the biggest: Patrick Ewing. But what separated the ‘92 team from its forefathers and followers was its small forward, a man who was anything but “small.” The 1989 Knicks featured Johnny Newman. The Pat Riley Knicks generally went with Charles Smith. But for one glorious spring, it was Xavier McDaniel going up against Scottie Pippen. Resume-wise, Pippen wins that matchup in a landslide. But physically, X had him in the torture chamber the whole series.

Champions require players who can lead and players who will never be number one, or even number two, but can be its best player for critical stretches — Toni Kukoč; Tony Parker; Lamar Odom; Andre Iguodala; Jaylen Brown. Even the best Knick teams of my lifetime never had that level of player. John Starks couldn’t carry a team. Allan Houston? Tyson Chandler? No. But OG Anunoby is playing like he can.

The old century would say I buried the lede going this long without mentioning the return of Jalen Brunson to active duty, and that surely was a comfort food experience. But Brunson’s return merely returns the Knicks to the ceiling they’ve held most of Brunson’s Knick career: worthy of entering the ring with the heavyweights, but a longshot to emerge victorious. Mitchell Robinson’s return restored a balance that’s held much of Tom Thibodeau’s tenure: the Knicks can be pretty good on either end. We knew that a year ago, two years, even. So what’s changed?

absolutely filthy stuff from og anunoby right now

— dan favale (@danfavale.bsky.social) 2025-04-07T00:44:36.288Z

That was one of seven shots OG Anunoby taketh and maketh in a 19-point one-man third-quarter explosion, including a perfect quintet of 3s. The eye test and the standard box score are enough for even the blind and the dead to testify to OG’s ascension. The matchup data gives reason to think this can carry forward to the playoffs and possibly push the Knicks past a Boston or Cleveland. Unlike how Kevin Garnett spent his whole career, OG isn’t just picking on little guys.

The Suns played two 7-footers in Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro, as well as defensive prodigy Ryan Dunn, who stands 6-foot-8, same as Anunoby. Anunoby shot 8-of-9 against them. If you’re thinking that’s not much of a first line of defense, it was never meant as such. Phoenix’s primary defender of Anunoby was Devin Booker, a couple inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter. OG made 3-of-5 against him.

There’s going to come a day next month when Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have all canceled each other out, and a playoff game is there for the taking, maybe a series. Charles Oakley was never gonna take over in that spot. J.R. Smith was too busy chasing after Rihanna to take over in that spot. We’ll never know if RJ Barrett takes over in that spot. OG can. He’s shown that he can. Maybe more importantly, in his case, he’s shown that he wants to. Of late that’s taken the form of him relentlessly roasting fools from beyond the arc as well as both on his way to and at the rim.

Maybe next it takes the shape of OG pulling an X-Man to Jaylen Brown’s Pip. Maybe the Knicks face the Cavs and he eclipses Evan Mobley. You can even imagine a Finals where Anunoby outplays Jalen Williams on one end while handling SGA well-enough on the other to pull an Iguodala and win Finals MVP. Sometimes great team defense means taking the hit so everyone else can keep their hands clean. Last night Booker scored 40, most coming against OG, against whom he shot 10-of-15, but while he was winning the battle his team was losing the war; the rest of the Suns shot just 23-of-63 (37%).

So if you’re keeping score at home, the Knicks feature two All-NBA offensive stars and a third player who’s been on a two-way First Team tear for more than a month. Quoth @back: “O-sanity.” Damn right. The magic number to clinch the 3-seed is down to one and the next game is against tomorrow against Boston. Three of the Knicks’ final four games feature teams who don’t have anything to play for, so they should be able to wrap up that third spot and take their foot off the gas a little this last week of the season. Of course, Thibs is in charge, so for the next seven days hold your breath, babes. But if the Knicks do reach the playoffs healthy, be sure to exhale. You’re gonna wanna live long enough to see what this team, including its anonymous highest-paid star, has in store for us.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/7/24402950/knicks-112-suns-98-o-sanity

 

[New York Knicks]

The midseason revival of OG Anunoby

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

A rough stretch seemingly stunted a breakout season, only for a phoenix to rise from the ashes.

On November 25, 2024, OG Anunoby had the game of his life in the Mile High City.

40 points. 16-for-23 from the field. 5-for-7 from behind the arc.

A new career-high for the man who has never been asked to lead an offense, it was the defining game of the early-season breakout of Anunoby as a true premier third-option in basketball.

While occurring simultaneously with the growing pains of Mikal Bridges, Anunoby entered the next game against the Mavericks with averages of 19.1 points and 5.4 rebounds on 52.4% from the field and a blistering 42.2% from behind the arc. Combined with his defensive prowess, it wasn’t unreasonable to begin all-star whispers.

And then, he stopped making shots.

Over his last nine games, OG Anunoby is shooting 23.6% from three.

Is his slump a concern for the Knicks? (via @Verts) https://t.co/SkV1g2gRFd pic.twitter.com/svr4OIYJFn

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 19, 2024​

Immediately after the Nuggets game, Anunoby missed 15 consecutive threes over the next three games. While his defense never slouched, his shot had escaped him. With little on-ball reps, his inability to make the shots that became his bread and butter was alarming.

From Thanksgiving to MLK Day, Anunoby played all 27 games the Knicks played. His averages plummeted to 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds on 43% from the field and a ghastly 29% from deep. After the best start to a season of his career, Anunoby was now averaging less than 16 points a night and was shooting just 34% from three, the lowest mark he’s had since Kawhi Leonard was his teammate.

The most concerning aspect was the corner 3. When Anunoby was acquired from Toronto, his specialty was lighting it up from the corner. He shot 44% last season, 45% the year before, and 46% the year before that.

Through January 20, however, he was shooting just 34.9% in the corner, a drastic decrease from prior seasons. Further, he was shooting just 34% above-the-break.

What happened? Many attributed it to fatigue. Anunoby, at the time he suffered a foot sprain against the Lakers in early February, had played 49 consecutive games. It was the most he had played in a row since the 2019-20 season (with an asterisk due to a five-month layoff in-between some of these games). Anunoby’s injury history had always had a silver lining of preventing him from being fatigued, but the workload was wearing on him.

At the time of his injury on February 1, OG had played 1,778 minutes, third in the NBA. He would not suit up again for nearly three weeks, giving him the much-needed rest for the stretch run.

It took Anunoby a few games to round into form, but he would string together some good games as the calendar turned to March. While the Knicks would’ve loved to ease OG into bigger responsibilities, a turned ankle in Crypto.com Arena disrupted any plans they had.

It didn’t happen right away, there were adjustments to be made, but the player who stepped up the most with Jalen Brunson on the shelf was OG Anunoby.

Brunson had already missed two weeks when the lowly Wizards came into town on March 22. By this time, Anunoby was playing well since returning from injury, but it was starting on this day that he began to go supernova.

Although on a very usual diet, Anunoby posted 23 points on just 12 shots, the beginning of a hyper-efficient rise into scoring stardom.

Just as the first Mavericks game began a brutal slump for the 6’7” wing, the second Mavericks game showed a new side of him.

While he would continue to thrive from off-ball cutting, Anunoby began bringing the ball up and having plays designed for him to put the ball on the floor.

He was a different man. He brought the ball up on the final possession of the first quarter, went right at Max Christie, and banked in a floater.

According to NBA.com, Anunoby has only attempted 23 “floaters” all season. This is a different dude.

A guy who had never shown an ability to consistently create his own shot was now driving and finishing over-and-over again.

When the dust settled in the Garden that night, Anunoby had 35 points. His 24 shot attempts were the second most of his career, behind when he dropped 36 on the Knicks on 27 FGA in November 2021.

A different element popped up starting on the 28th against the Bucks: ability to get to the free throw line.

On multiple occasions, he got a steal and was fouled on a strong drive to the basket in transition. Anunoby took ten free throws in this game, tied for a career high.

Three days later, he broke that career high.

The newfound confidence of Anunoby, combined with his extremely underrated brute strength, saw him draw several fouls and shoot a career-high 13 free throws against the severely shorthanded Sixers.

He’s also been pulling out some new moves:

OG Anunoby showing off a bag like we’ve never seen before pic.twitter.com/eX2flcwzUa

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 3, 2025​

OG ANUNOBY POSTER SLAM

Had the bench UP on their feet!! pic.twitter.com/eztqArRGGU

— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2025​

"THE ANUNOBY ONSLAUGHT CONTINUES."

- MIKE BREEN pic.twitter.com/T0CA4Cgl9G

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 7, 2025​

What got into this man? In the words of John Wall:

After his most recent 30-piece over the Phoenix Suns, Anunoby now has six 30-point games this season after having just six in his career entering this year.

He now has a career-high 32 games of 20+ points, blowing away his prior high of 20.

OG Anunoby post-ASB halfcourt scoring off the bounce pic.twitter.com/v5GKrDWbJu

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) April 7, 2025​

His shooting has risen from the ashes. Since January 20, he’s shooting 44.2% from the corner and 41% above the break.

In all, since returning from injury in late February, he’s averaging 21.8 points and 5.0 rebounds on a great TS% of 60.9%.

MIKE BREEN BANG pic.twitter.com/RNBkCAkqXJ

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 7, 2025​

Many thought the return of Jalen Brunson would slow down his momentum, but Anunoby seems to have truly moved the needle. He had multiple plays specifically ran for him and was getting significantly more touches.

Prior to Jalen Brunson’s injury, Anunoby was averaging 42 touches per game with an average “seconds per touch” of 1.89.

With Brunson out, he averaged 54 touches per game and 2.24 seconds per touch.

In Brunson’s return? Anunoby was down to 47 touches, but 2.89 seconds per touch.

The offensive leap could be here.

Fairs OG
pic.twitter.com/AhadIPztqJ

— Teg (@IQfor3) April 7, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/7/24402790/the-midseason-revival-of-og-anunoby

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Preview: Knicks vs. Celtics, April 8, 2025

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Can the fully healthy Knicks, with Robinson, and a much improved Anunoby, pick up their first win of the season against the Celtics?

It’s been a week since the Knicks lost to the Cavaliers and extended their winless losing streak to the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics to eight. Tonight, they’ll get their ninth, and penultimate opportunity to win their first game against the top three this season. But this game, even if it ends in a Knicks win, may come with a bit of an asterisk as the Celtics could very well be without multiple key players.

With the Cavaliers just one win away from clinching the first seed and the Celtics locked in as the second seed, there’s a chance that Boston, which has already listed Al Horford as out, and Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum as a game-time decision, takes it easy and rests its starters as it prepares for its defense of the title.

This game, regardless of who and who doesn’t play, will be a key one to keep an eye on for Knicks fans though. If the Celtics do play all, or at least a majority, of their key players, this will serve as the Knicks’ final chance to beat, or at the very least, compete with the Celtics—something they haven’t been able to do often this season.

Boston has yet to see this New York team with Mitchell Robinson, nor have they played against this new version of OG Anunoby. Watching how the aforementioned two play against the Celtics could be a good indicator of whether the Knicks have any chance against them in a seven-game series, especially since they seem to be peaking at the right moment.

The Celtics come into tonight having not only the league’s best offensive rating over their last 15 games, but also the 11th-best defensive rating, and the league’s third-best net rating over that span.

And, even if the Celtics do rest some of their starters, and trot out their B team, Knicks fans will still want to tune in to see if Jalen Brunson, who returned from a near month-long ankle injury on Sunday, can continue to work off the rust and get back in a rhythm. With the regular season winding down, Brunson, and the Knicks only have so many games now to work on things, and get in sync, so they should continue to play their guys, even if their seeding is pretty close to being secured as well.

Prediction​

Last April, the Knicks played a Celtics team that, despite having already clinched the first seed, played its starters. And the Knicks came away with an emphatic statement victory in which they were leading by double digits for the majority of the game after the first quarter. New York, who was led by Brunson, and his 39 points, saw six players score in double-digits and showed that with Anunoby, they were a real potential threat to the Celtics.

Tonight, while under a bit of a different circumstance, is a bit reminiscent of that contest, and could have some similar effects. If this new, and different version of the Knicks can upset the Celtics, then the fans, and even some analysts, maybe ever so slightly more optimistic about the Knicks’ odds of challenging the Celtics in the playoffs.

As mentioned above, we aren’t sure who the Celtics will even run out there tonight. So if they have multiple starters out, I do think that the Knicks, who have been playing some solid basketball could secure a win. With Brunson, Deuce McBride, Cam Payne, and Robinson all healthy again, they, along with OG Anunoby, who is amongst the hottest basketball players on planet Earth right now, have what it takes to beat Boston, especially if hobbled.

In the end though, as these two teams are currently constructed, I just think the Celtics are a really bad matchup. They are a bad matchup for almost any team in the league, to be fair, but Boston has the point-of-attack defense with Holiday and White to make things difficult for Brunson, they have the offensive spacing, and they have the firepower to single out (and pick on) Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as the coaching to continuously force Josh Hart to be a difference maker on offense-something he’s struggled to do against the Celtics. Boston wins 120-115.

Game Details​

Teams: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, 7:30 PM ET

Broadcast: TNT

Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/8/24403709/game-preview-knicks-vs-celtics-april-7-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (OT): “The coaching at the end had me angry.”

Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Knicks win a half, lose the third quarter, and mount a comeback to force overtime against the reigning champs.

Tonight at Madison Square Garden, your New York Knicks (50–29) had a chance to avoid a four-game season sweep by the Boston Celtics (59–20). Our heroes seemed determined to do it too, owning the first half with physicality, sharp shooting, and a dominant 22-point, nine-rebound showing from Karl-Anthony Towns. They took a 58–52 lead into intermission, but a third-quarter barrage from Kristaps Porzingis and back-to-back buzzer-beaters by Tatum had New York on the ropes. Still, they kept swinging behind gritty defense and big plays from Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Towns. Boston forced overtime with yet another clutch Tatum triple to tie the game at 107, but the Knicks’ toughness turned a near-collapse into a near-classic.

In overtime, KAT tried to rally the troops, but Mikal Bridges couldn’t handle his pass at a critical juncture, while clutch free throws by Jrue Holiday and Porzingis’ eighth three-pointer sealed Boston’s season sweep. Final score: 119-117.

Jaylen Brown suited up despite a sore knee and played only 22 minutes. Boston didn’t need him with Tatum in top gear (32 points on 11-of-22 shooting) and Porzingis hitting eight threes en route to 34 points on 11-of-19 shooting. For New York, Towns posted a 34–12 double-double; Brunson added a 27-point, 10-assist double-double in 38 minutes; and Josh Hart chipped in a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double. But a combined 11-of-28 shooting from Bridges and Anunoby hurt, and the latter missed all five of his three-point attempts. The Knicks made just 11-of-38 from downtown—and that won’t cut it against Boston (19-of-49 tonight).

Quoth Spike Lee’s Joint: “I tend to be a Thibs defender. I think he’s created the culture and he gets the most out of individuals.

“The coaching at the end had me angry.”

Interesting timing, that, on the day Mike Malone became available. You’ll see a head-scratching sequence later on in this rambling recap, and it’s sure to be the main talking point on tomorrow’s podcasts: Why didn’t the Knicks foul with a three-point lead and 11 seconds left in regulation?? Yeah, I’m with you, Spike.

First Half​

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 10 of the Knicks’ first 14 points (and grabbed six rebounds) as his squad jumped out to a five-point lead. Six offensive rebounds helped during that stretch, as did lukewarm shooting by the Beantown Bunch. Towns was subbed out for Mitchell Robinson around the three-minute mark, and Robinson immediately crashed the glass hard.

Celtics vs Knicks: 3-0

Celtics vs Mitchell Robinson: 0-0 pic.twitter.com/2qnAeTAnKM

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Jalen Brunson anchored the offense with timely floaters and a pair of triples, including a dagger at 1:11 as Boston tried to gain ground. The Captain looked rusty in his first game back two nights ago. Tonight: no rust, no fuss.

Physicality gave the Knicks the edge, but their play wasn’t all clean: a few careless passes (including a costly Brunson turnover that led to a Tatum bucket) and two fouls by McBride gave Boston some freebies. Derrick White and Tatum kept the Celtics afloat, with Tatum drilling a buzzer-beating triple to cap the quarter and narrow the score to 30–27.

Jayson Tatum drains the DEEP triple to end the 1st quarter pic.twitter.com/kqRLwPOgTd

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 9, 2025​

In the second quarter, Thibs played Robinson and Towns side by side, and—surprise—the Knicks jumped out to a nine-point lead. Might this be a tantalizing peek at the ace up the crusty coach’s sleeve for the postseason? Could be. Two consecutive triples by Kristaps Porzingis cut into the lead, but not for long.

Towns continued to impress—around the four-minute mark, he was quadruple-teamed in the paint. Craftily, he faked a pass that drew off three defenders, allowing him to turn and coolly toss in a bucket. In a flash, New York was ahead by 11.

KAT in the first half so far:

20 PTS
8 REB
8-12 FGM

Knicks lead Celtics on TNT! pic.twitter.com/AhcAWl4ypf

— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025​

Late in the quarter, a reversed foul call helped Boston spark an 8–0 run. But OG Anunoby’s hounding defense forced Tatum into a bad shot, allowing New York to rally and take a 58–52 lead into halftime.

OG BEAUTIFUL DEFENSE

JALEN BEAUTIFUL OFFENSE pic.twitter.com/4WwGKOHxT8

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 9, 2025​

(NOTE: For those who prefer an X-less recap, I hear you. After the buzzer, I’ve got a 30-minute window to finish and post, and BlueSky just doesn’t deliver the clips fast enough. This time crunch also explains the embarrassing errors. Forgive my sins, Strunk & White.)

The Knicks dominated the first half statistically, outshooting Boston 51% to 40% from the field and owning the glass 29–15. New York was especially strong on the defensive boards (22–11), limiting second chances for the Celtics while creating their own with seven offensive rebounds.

Tatum led the visitors with 15 points, while Towns led all scorers with 22 points and nine rebounds. It was glorious, folks. Inside, the Knicks punished Boston in the paint (28–18) behind that scrumptious KAT-and-Lobster combo. Both teams took care of the ball and stayed out of foul trouble, but the question remained: was the Knicks’ startling +14 rebound differential and efficient shot-making the real deal—or fool’s gold?

On a somber note, pray for Jaylen Wells.

Jaylen Wells falls hard on his front of his head after the And-One dunk. The medical staff rush for his help and then evacuate him.
Upon referee review, the foul by KJ Simpson was upgraded to a flagrant penalty 2 and he was ejected from the game.
Some Hornets players were… pic.twitter.com/egfcqj1cQC

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 9, 2025​

Second Half​

Eight consecutive points—thanks to their three rebounds plus two Knicks misses and stanky D—let Boston take the lead with barely a minute and a half off the clock. An entire half’s worth of effort erased in a flash: the Celtics will do that to ya.

Porzingis fueled Boston’s momentum with a series of deep three-pointers. He hit four between the 10:29 and 6:19 marks—three assisted by Derrick White and one by Jayson Tatum—including a 39-footer that extended Boston’s lead to 73–66.

This was just bloody cheeky:

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS FROM THE LOGO FOR HIS 7TH THREE pic.twitter.com/NjtBQgqIAU

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) April 9, 2025​

The Knicks struggled to contain Boston’s spacing, and Towns’ first-half fire fizzled out—he managed just one bucket in the period. Meanwhile, Anunoby—recently the sizzling celebrity of the basketball world—and Mikal Bridges had combined to shoot 3-of-14 through two and a half quarters, totaling 10 points. (At the same point, Brunson and KAT had combined for 42.) Thank the Lord for Deuce McBride, who checked in for Bridges and buried a three. Following that, Robinson picked off Tatum and found Anunoby, whose breakaway slam tied the score at 76. Redemption!

A 7-0 run by the villains regained their advatange. That run was capped by Tatum’s second buzzer-beater of the game. Tough game so far for Bridges. 83-78, Boston.

Celtics close the 3rd quarter on a 7-0 run, including this buzzer beater by Jayson Tatum pic.twitter.com/2bn4k4seax

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) April 9, 2025​

Powered by Robinson, who blocked a Tatum three-point attempt, and Cameron Payne, who chipped in five quick points, the Knicks began to rally. Then Robinson fell backward in a pile of players, emerged from the scrum with a limp, and was subbed out. So it goes. Every time it feels like Robinson is our secret sauce, there’s a limp or gimp to dash our hopes.

ROBINSON WITH THE REJECTION pic.twitter.com/2RyFTQyrvz

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 9, 2025​

The Knicks needed someone else to step into the offensive void. Bridges dipped his beak with a much-needed three-pointer, and Towns converted an and-1. But Tatum and Payton Pritchard scored with ease at the other end, and Boston stayed ahead by two or three possessions through most of the quarter. It wasn’t until an Anunoby rebound led to a Brunson-to-KAT alley-oop with four-ish minutes left that the home team came within three again.

Hold on to your hats, Knicks fans! Boston fought back, but a 10–2 run—capped by a contested Brunson jumper and an Anunoby putback—gave the Knicks a one-point lead with one minute to go. Doff your hat for Anunoby, too, who took over the Tatum assignment and schooled that fool.

OG WITH THE MONSTER PUTBACK pic.twitter.com/t7V2FDTFCL

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 9, 2025​

Bridges hit a wide-open midrange J to put our heroes up 105–102 with 50 seconds left. But KAT fouled Tatum at the perimeter, and he made two of three from the stripe. Bridges grabbed the rebound, though! An incredible sequence followed—featuring two blatant no-calls—and ended with Brunson slicing a gorgeous dish to a cutting Hart, who nearly twisted in half to finish the contested bucket. Boston regained the ball with 11 seconds left. A Tatum dagger from deep in Anunoby’s face to tie it? You guessed it. With a Hart miss and the score knotted at 107, we headed to bonus time.

Why the Knicks don’t foul here is a question for the ages:

MADNESS IN KNICKS-CELTICS!!!

TATUM TIES IT pic.twitter.com/KUrXZc14OV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2025​

Overtime​

Bridges guarded Tatum to start the fifth period. He badgered the Star Celt into a brick—bueno! But a mental miscue (sleeping while Tatum inbounded to a cutting Sam Hauser), two turnovers, and three misses proved costly for New York. Towns was ready to play the hero, though. Making up for a tepid third quarter, he chipped in three points and a steal to tie things up.

TOWNS TAKES IT ALL THE WAY pic.twitter.com/G1lEuur9HT

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 9, 2025​

Porzingis answered with his eighth three-pointer, matching a career high. Boston was up 115–112. The Captain missed a triple attempt with 20 seconds to go, but New York regained possession. Brunson managed to inbound to KAT, who passed to Bridges—only for him to muff the ball out of bounds. Hart committed his sixth foul, sending Jrue Holiday to the line; he made both, and outscoring Boston by five in 12.6 seconds seemed an impossible task. Anunoby made a layup, Holiday sank two more freebies, and Jalen drained a three to close the game. Thus, the season sweep was complete.

Up Next​

The Knicks will be in Detroit on Thursday. Play-off preview? Maybe so. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...icks-117-the-coaching-at-the-end-had-me-angry

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks clinch top-third place in Week 24 power rankings

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Final pow-wow of the season before we start talking about real basketball.

Three wins against good-to-bad teams and a loss against the lone contender the Knicks faced during the past week—through Monday’s slate—left New York pretty much where it already was in the eyes of pundits across the nation.

These Knicks still fell like pretenders more than legitimate contenders. Can they make everything click and find miracle moments all the way through the Finals. Sure. Is it realistic, let alone sane, to do so for the next two months? Honest to God, no.

Here’s a roundup of all the power rankings posted at different outlets through Tuesday’s matchups, capturing the national perception of the Knicks among the basketball elite.

Note: I have included a +/- next to each rank, with a minus sign (-) meaning dropping down and a plus sign (+) meaning climbing up X spots compared to last week’s position on that outlet.

NBA — No. 10 — New York Knicks (—)​

John Schuhmann of NBA.com left the Knicks right where he placed them a week ago, right in tenth place and navigating no man's land.

Schuhmann didn’t consider Tuesday’s loss to Boston, which could have dropped New York in the last PW of the season.

“One takeaway: In his last game before his injury (Mar. 6 at the Lakers), Brunson had possession of the ball for 15.2 minutes per 100 possessions, his highest rate of the season, according to Second Spectrum tracking. On Sunday, he had it for just 10.8 minutes per 100 possessions, his 10th lowest rate of the season.

“So the Knicks may try to keep their offense less reliant on their point guard than it was before he went down. Their defense has generally had greater cause for concern, but other guys must make plays on offense in the playoffs.

"What to watch for this week: The Knicks need one more victory (or a Pacers loss) to clinch the 3 seed. We’ll see if they get anything close to the full-strength Celtics on Tuesday, but if Karl-Anthony Towns’ pick-and-roll defense isn’t under scrutiny then, it will be two nights later in Detroit, where we could get a first-round preview.

“Cade Cunningham totaled 65 points as the Pistons won the last two meetings at Madison Square Garden.” — John Schuhmann

The Athletic — No. 9 — New York Knicks (+2)​

Law Murray of The Athletic decided to move the Knicks up once again, keeping up with his trait of doing random stuff on a weekly basis, whether teams merit those moves or not.

Murray bumped New York up a couple of spots in his last PWs of the regular season, placing the Knicks on the inside looking out of the NBA’s top-10 entering the home stretch of games.

"The Week 1 Question: Is this team too top-heavy? The minutes police have been loud all season. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are Nos. 1 and 2 in total minutes played this season. OG Anunoby ranks ninth. Karl-Anthony Towns ranks 26th. And Jalen Brunson ranks 50th.

“Brunson’s injury allowed others to step up, though, and New York survived his absence by going 9-6. Brunson is back in time with him needing three more games to reach the 65-game award threshold.” — Law Murray

ESPN — No. 5 — New York Knicks (+6)​

The ESPN panel went bananas and placed the Knicks where we all think they belong, but nobody outside NYK Nation is willing to accept—right inside the top 5.

With the regular season nearly over, the folks from the E decided to address the preseason expectations placed on each franchise to see whether they met, failed, or surpassed them.

“By winning at least 50 games for the second consecutive season and finishing near their preseason over/under win total of 53.5, New York has essentially met its preseason expectations to be one of the East’s best teams.

“But it’d also be fair to feel as if this new-look group hasn’t done enough against elite competition. The club’s 0-9 mark against Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City—the teams with the NBA’s three best records—raises questions about whether the Knicks can be competitive beyond the first round of the playoffs.” — Chris Herring

What are your thoughts on the ranks above? Where do you have the Knicks ranked after they split their first six games of the season? Drop your hot takes in the comments section below!

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...nch-top-third-place-in-week-24-power-rankings

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘We should have fouled. I should’ve done the foul’

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

New York is one game away from making history for all the wrong reasons...

The Knicks had a chance to serve the Celtics a meaningless vengeance, but all they did was drop the opportunity, literally and figuratively, falling 119-117 in an overtime loss in Boston.

New York fumbled the rock and only have one game left against a bonafide contender to save their historically bad all-nil record against such teams. Before that, a tilt against their most probable first-round opponent on Thursday. Sheesh...

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers said after yesterday’s disaster.

"It's time & situation. They inbounded quickly. He's coming at us. If he's in a shooting motion you're giving him 3 shots. It wasn't off a dead ball"

– Thibs on Knicks not fouling Jayson Tatum up 3 with seconds left in 4th

Tatum hit 3 to tie & go to OT where Celtics won pic.twitter.com/4TXAibFiQL

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On learning from games against top teams:

“I think each game tells you something. It tells you the things you are doing well and the things you need to work on. And then you just try for that improvement each and every day and you want to take it all the way through. You don’t want to let up and keep improving. Whoever is available just get in there and get the job done and keep improving.”

On Boston’s offense:

“Well they’ve got guys that can go off the dribble. Porzingis can spread you out. They make the extra pass. It requires you to contain dribble penetration. And then read the ball, and then you gotta fly out, challenge the ball. The rebounding is also a huge factor.”

On a defensive breakdown in overtime:

“The thing is, when you go back in the game, that’s why you have to fight to win every possession — because, oftentimes, these games end up being a one-possession game. You go back and look, and that was off a dead-ball play. That’s miscommunication, right? We can be better with that. You don’t want to gift a great team points. Those things … we have to be better.”

On Boston being the No. 1 team to beat:

“They’re the defending champion. Until someone proves they can beat them, they’re defending their championship. We know that there’s a lot of work for us to do.”

On the importance of winning regardless of opponent:

“Winning always matters. It’s the next game and that’s what you have to focus in on. What goes into winning, prepare yourself for the game and then be ready to go. Everything does matter. Whatever your circumstances are you want to take advantage of that. I think the way everything is structured now in terms of the play-in and the seeding that you are fighting for.… When you go into the games, you don’t know who’s playing and not playing so you have to prepare for everybody. I think it’s you want to go through [to] the finish line whatever that is. You want to play your best going in.”

On Michael Malone’s firing:

“It’s an unfortunate part of the business. He had a long run there and he did a great job and won a championship. The record speaks for itself. Sometimes — there’s challenges.”

On Anunoby’s impact and the need for building some rhythm with everybody available before the playoffs:

“It’s good to have everyone back and it gives us a chance to build some rhythm. That’s the challenge of every season for every team. You don’t know how it unfolds with injuries and things of that nature, so when one guy goes out, it’s an opportunity for another guy to get in there and get the job done. But it also gives you time to build chemistry with those guys.”

Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns with Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown & Jrue Holiday postgame pic.twitter.com/eVeEgYanXN

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On learning from the Celtics game:

“I think it’s something we can build off of. There’s a lot of positives we can take from this game, and there’s some negatives we can take. But yeah: it’s a little disappointing, knowing that we fought back and had a chance [to win].”

On the lack of execution on Tuesday:

“We just have to execute better. It’s as simple as that. We shouldn’t have been in that position anyway, to be in overtime.”

Mikal can't catch it pic.twitter.com/zKxv21KoOF

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On the loss to Boston:

“We don’t take moral victories. I thought we did a good job meeting their aggression.

“Just an all-around better game, execution, it gave us a chance to win, but they’re a great team. Give them credit where credit is due. Defending champions did exactly what defending champions do.”

Your Knicks are in 3rd up 2 games on the Pacers with 3 left to play (Knicks hold tiebreaker) pic.twitter.com/e6suhkdsNP

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On the team’s mentality after the loss to Boston:

“I don’t think there’s anything really positive about it.

“I think we’re playing good basketball, and that’s where we want to be toward the end of the year going into the playoffs.”

"I should have fouled"

–– OG Anunoby pic.twitter.com/uzhlUR1lWN

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

OG Anunoby​

On Tatum’s game-tying three:

“We should have fouled. I should’ve done the foul.”

Knicks bench reacts to Mikal Bridges turnover late in OT, dap him postgame pic.twitter.com/xO9wqrzqTn

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 9, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...e-should-have-fouled-i-shouldve-done-the-foul

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Preview: Knicks at Pistons, April 10, 2025

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Shorthanded Knicks face off against a potential round one matchup looking to right the ship

Despite Tuesday night’s thrilling nail-biter not going the Knicks’ way, there was a certain high fans experienced from the contest. It was a potential playoff matchup filled with stars that went to overtime, and the Knicks, maybe more than any other game thus far this season, gave fans hope that while beating the Celtics may not be likely, it was at least possible. So coming off of that game, and then a day off filled with hindsight, criticisms, frustrations, optimistic hope, and much more, tonight’s contest against the Pistons, another potential playoff matchup, feels rather mundane and dare I say, even meaningless.

Now, had the Knicks been at full strength heading into the game, it’d be a heck of a lot more interesting. It would have been a great way to preview what a series between these two teams might look like, and while neither team would have given everything away, we’d at least get an idea about how the two coaches planned to outdo their counterparts. But with the Knicks pretty close to locking up the third seed, and having OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson all listed as out, tonight’s game no longer serves as a full-on sneak peek and looks more like a casual rehearsal- at least from the Knicks’ perspective.

New York, as they’ve always done under Tom Thibodeau, will continue to work on adjustments, and fine-tuning their games until the very last game of the regular season. Jalen Brunson, who missed a significant chunk of time, could use all the in-game reps he can before the postseason, as can Deuce McBride, who missed some time himself. And Mikal Bridges, given his struggles against the better teams in the league this season, will surely want to have a bounce-back game. So tonight’s game won’t be completely void of significance.

The Pistons currently list Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, and Isaiah Stewart as game-time decisions, with the former two being considered probable, and Steward being considered questionable. That leads me to believe that the Pistons, who are still in somewhat of a playoff-seeding race, mean to take this game a bit more seriously, even at the risk of showing some of their hand. And it makes sense. Detroit wants to get and stay healthy, like New York does, but they’ve lost four of their last five, and likely want to not only pick up a win but also get back in rhythm.

Prediction​

The Knicks are just 1-2 against the Pistons this season and have dropped their last two meetings against them. Getting a win tonight, especially while shorthanded, could go a long way in instilling more confidence in the Knicks’ ability to overcome a hungry and young Pistons team in a potential first-round matchup. Detroit, from what the injury report is telling us, seems to be taking this game a bit more seriously, but the Knicks, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson, Bridges, and McBride, have the talent to still win this one on the road. I think the Pistons, who again, have played the Knicks well this season can keep this one close but only if Malik Beasley, who is shooting just 13 for his last 47 from three, gets back on track. Regardless of how Beasley plays though, I have the Knicks winning 115-110, led by a big effort from Brunson and Bridges, who are averaging 32.7PPG, and 20.7PPG against the Pistons respectively this season.

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Little Caesar’s Arena, Detroit, MI

TV Broadcast: MSG

Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/10/24405289/game-preview-knicks-at-pistons-april-10-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Pistons 115, Knicks 106: “It was good until the end, I guess.”

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

KAT scores 15 in the fourth but his teammates score six, and Detroit flips a 13-point deficit to smack down the Knicks.

The playoffs have yet to start, but the fans at Little Caesars Arena are already in a hostile mood. If the New York Knicks (50-30) and the Detroit Pistons (44-36) lock horns for a postseason series, count on some malice in the palace.

Things started well for the shorthanded Knicks, who shot nearly 60% in the first half and rode a 17–7 burst to a 62-56 lead at intermission. Detroit, led by Cade Cunningham, won the third quarter for a tie at 85, and their physical play disrupted the tired Knicks in the final frame. Final score: 115-106.

New York, playing without OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson, couldn’t overcome Detroit’s 57% shooting and 66 points in the paint. Our heroes forced 11 steals, dished 31 assists, and led by as many as 13, but their 17 turnovers and defensive lapses proved too costly. Quoth xhu35: “It was good until the end, I guess.” Indeed. They scored just seven points in the final six minutes while Detroit manhandled them.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 25 points and 10 boards, but his defense was bad tonight, and he got into early foul trouble, coughed up the rock seven times, and committed a costly late-game shot clock violation. At least his struggles opened the door for P.J. Tucker to dust off his Nikes and play 27 tough-as-nails minutes.

Starting in place of Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa logged 40 minutes and scored an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, plus three blocks and two steals. His first half was excellent; Detroit neutralized him in the second. . . . Mikal Bridges scored 17 on 7-of-10 shooting and led the team with seven assists. . . . Jalen Brunson put up 15 points, five assists and shot 5-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-9 from deep. The Pistons’ pressure forced him into three turnovers. . . . and Miles McBride struggled against Detroit’s size, shooting 5-of-18 for 12 points, but he did steal the ball four times and dish six dimes.

For Detroit, Cunningham scored 36 points and eight assists with ease on 16-of-24 shooting, and Jalen Duren was perfect from the floor for 18 points and 13 boards.

Rest assured, fans. If the Knicks had their full complement of players, the outcome would have been different. Now they jet home to face the Cavs tomorrow, and since the Pacers won, the magic number to clinch the third seed is one.

Don’t miss Achiuwa’s dunk on Stewart below!

First Half​

With Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson all managing injuries, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau rolled out a starting squad of Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, Precious Achiuwa, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

To start the festivities, New York cleared the lane generously for Jalen Duren to slam home Detroit’s first six points.

JALEN DUREN EVERYONE pic.twitter.com/jdw4iLH7R4

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 10, 2025​

That didn’t sit well with The Captain. Determined to notch win No. 51, Brunson sank his first three shots, while Bridges chipped in with a pull-up, an acrobatic reverse layup, and a swat on Ausar Thompson.

The Knicks clawed back from the early deficit, overcame eight efficient points from Cade Cunningham, and inched ahead by hitting 10 of their first 13 shots. With encouraging intensity, Precious Achiuwa got busy—finishing at the rim, snagging boards, and dunking on Isaiah Stewart’s nose. Gave him a friendly shove for good measure, too.

PRECIOUS ACHIUWA DETONATES ON ISAIAH STEWART pic.twitter.com/gtRGF8b3Pv

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 10, 2025​

At 5:16, 39-year-old P.J. Tucker checked in and immediately bullied his way to an offensive rebound. Soon after, Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne, and Delon Wright entered to give the starters a breather. Powered by an 11–3 run to close the quarter, the Knicks carried a 35–29 lead into the second.

In Q2, Tucker put the muscle on Stewart in box outs, proving that Polly Jean can still throw down with the youngins! He was pulled for a breather, but then summoned back to the fray soon after, due to Towns collecting his third personal foul with 8:30 on the clock.

PJ Tucker, baller. pic.twitter.com/8d3dxM0Tcl

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) April 10, 2025​

The Knicks turned up the heat with a spicy 17–7 run. Precious blocked journeyman Dennis Schröder, while Bridges and McBride added buckets. Deuce, in particular, was everywhere—stealing the ball (twice!), drilling a three, and delivering dimes. Brunson did Captain Things: grabbing boards, burying jumpers, and splashing a 24-footer to push the lead to 11. Their transition defense left much to be desired, though, and Detroit chipped back. By intermission, our heroes were ahead 62-56.

The Knicks outpaced the Pistons, hitting nearly 60% from the field and racking up 18 assists on 25 buckets. While Detroit shot 55% from the field and made 5-of-10 from deep, New York won the hustle stats—14 rebounds, six steals, five blocks, and five fast break points. Achiuwa led the ‘Bockers with 13 points; Cunningham led everybody with 16. Tucker had played 16 minutes, the most floortime he’d seen since May 3, 2024 (for the Clippers in a playoff loss).

Second Half​

Brunson rolled his ankle midway through the third. He was slow to get up, but he played on. The good news: it wasn’t the ankle that recently cost him 15 games. Still, seeing Cap go down always makes the heart stutter—especially on the brink of the postseason.

The Knicks pushed ahead by 13 before allowing Detroit to zip off a 9–2 run. Tucker continued to be a pleasant surprise, imposing his will on both ends by muscling the kids and draining a three—his first points in the orange and blue. Ladies and gents, he is a natural Knickerbocker:

Dennis Schroder stands over Brunson after he fouls him...

So PJ Tucker then stands over Schroder after he fouls him.

Extend him again. pic.twitter.com/bSko7XXR3y

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) April 11, 2025​

But Cunningham racked up 30 points through three quarters, and the Pistons were heating up. The Motor City bunch ratcheted up their defense, harassed the Knicks into turnovers, and won the 50/50 balls. Their 13–4 run to close the quarter leveled the score at 85

It's tough when Cade Cunningham gets to his spots.. pic.twitter.com/hyXPFWqW5e

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) April 11, 2025​

To start Q4, New York went ahead by a few, then fell behind by a few. Detroit proved the tougher team and went on a 10-2 run. After shooting so well to start the game, New York had made 10-of-30 from deep by midway through the fourth. The fans at the pizza palace were heckling the Knicks, and one in particular pissed off Shamet. Landry responded with back-to-back triples and drew an offensive foul from Cunningham (his fifth). Great effort from Sham-wow to bail water out of what felt like a sinking ship and tie the game.

What a sequence for Landry Shamet

3 on one end.
Takes the charge on the other.

Knicks/Pistons battling in the 4Q on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/nuEwLuUmum

— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025​

The home team went on a 9-0 run. Towns put four straight on the board to make it a seven-point differential with a minute left. KAT collected 15 of New York’s 21 points in the quarter, but they couldn’t get stops, or capitalize on opportunities, and free throws put the game out of reach.

Up Next

The Cleveland Cavaliers come to Madison Square Garden tomorrow night. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-knicks-106-it-was-good-until-the-end-i-guess

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘Just kind of keep to prayer and just thank God every single day’

Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

Sometimes it’s good to contend and tank at the same time.

The Knicks did an extraordinary job on Thursday, losing 115-106 in Detroit, on their second-to-last road game of the season.

New York will be back in action on Friday as they keep waiting to clinch (or not) the No. 3 seed in the East and to know who will be their first-round opponent—the Pistons or the Bucks—when real basketball starts next week.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers said after yesterday’s affair and before they face Cleveland later today.

pic.twitter.com/OMKaVWYmAD

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 11, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On the loss to the Pistons:

“First half, played pretty good. Third quarter, got up 13, and then I thought our turnovers really hurt us.”

On the playoff implications and trying to cook matchups:

“It doesn’t change your approach or anything. You go through the finish line into the next game prepared like you would do for every game. Don’t change anything and understand what goes into winning. Anytime someone’s out, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in. Understand what your job is, go in there and do your job. All you’re doing is thinking about everything you have to do to win the game. So [the playoffs] doesn’t change your approach. If you get wrapped up in other stuff, you’re skipping over steps — and that’s not what you should do.

On ignoring external opinions on his extenuating coaching methods:

“I don’t worry about it because there’s always opinions. Any time there’s science for it, there’s science against. And then there’s opinions. And there’s the trained eye. And there’s a lot that goes into it. I always say, you prepare for what you want to do. And you have to have a mentality and the mindset is everything. I’ve been around a lot of players and I’ve learned from them, I’ve learned from different people I’ve been around. I don’t worry about any of that stuff.”

On the Pistons and JB Bickerstaff’s coaching:

“I think J.B. has done a terrific job; I thought he did a terrific job in Cleveland. I think they have a lot of young players, and they’ve gotten better, and that usually happens with experience. And I think they added really good veterans that have complimented their young players really well. So, they’ve been consistent from the start of the season throughout, and they’re strong on both sides of the ball.”

On Mikal Bridges’ durability:

“He should be commended for it. You’ve got to put a lot into that, taking care of your body, preparing to play a long season. It used to be a badge of honor, not so much anymore. It’s a credit to him and his durability.”

Thibodeau & Tucker LLC pic.twitter.com/jaiQyDK8qb

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 11, 2025​

PJ Tucker​

On the Pistons out-toughing the Knicks:

“They just out-toughed us. They did. The whole fourth quarter. We kept it close but they just out-toughed us. That’s something we got to address. Obviously, not having OG [Anunoby], not having Josh [Hart], getting those guys back will help a lot.

“I just feel like down in the trenches like that in the playoffs this year, they’re not calling nothing. They’re letting a lot of stuff go right now and I like it. The refs are letting a lot of stuff go both ways. With that happening, guys got to play differently. We got to play different. We got to toughen up. It’s more physical. We got to toughen up.”

On the late Pistons alley-oop dunk:

“I wasn’t feeling that too much. We were still chasing and playing defense so I wasn’t too mad. But I wish I was where KAT was when that happened.”

On getting extended playing time for the first time under Thibs:

“Once I got through my first wind, it was really good. I started to open up a little bit. I started to feel good, started talking, getting involved with the game and it’s like riding a bike.”

On feeling good getting physical again:

“The plays like that, the box outs, the 50-50 balls, that stuff is that feeling. Getting offensive rebounds, it’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m back.’ It felt good.”

Jalen Brunson & Tim Hardaway Sr postgame pic.twitter.com/P171XYDlah

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 11, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On the loss to Detroit:

“Got to close out the second half better. I mean, long story short, they played really well, they played really physical. And they played for 48 minutes. Tonight, I don’t think we played for a full 48 minutes. That’s my take on it.”

On focusing exclusively on what’s next without thinking too far ahead:

“We have two games to finish the regular season. Focus on Cleveland [Friday] and go from there. Just control what we can control.”

Mikal Bridges​

On playing through injury in high school, college, and the NBA:

“Ended up breaking my—I guess fracturing my heel (in HS), breaking my heel, playing outside—like an outdoor league—and I was [angry] we lost.

“So I remember hurting it in the game, and I was so mad, we got in the car, and (mom) was like, you’re alright? And I’m like, I’m fine. And I kind of just [played] for a month. And one day I woke up out of bed and I couldn’t walk and I was like, ‘Yeah, my foot is messed up.’

“It was just sore a little bit and I think it got severe as the days went on.”

On what drives his ironman mentality:

“It’s kind of just a mentality. I kind of got that from growing up. I always wanted to play, being upset, hiding injuries from my mom, and always playing through them.

“And then getting to college, where Coach [Jay] Wright is big on just playing through it. Even my high school coach. You roll an ankle, my coach called it a stinger and tells you just tie your shoes up even tighter.

“So throughout my phases, I always had my personal self and then my coaches who always kind of just pushed me even more. So it was just a mentality thing at that point.

On the increased responsibility handled by all Knicks players during Brunson’s injury helping the team ahead of the playoffs:

“JB went down, it was kind of like a blessing in disguise.

“I prefer nobody gets injured, especially my teammates. But thank God it wasn’t super severe. Some ankle I know he’s dealt with and can get through.

“But from a whole team purpose, yeah, I just think it helped us. It helped us play with the ball more, everybody getting it… It kind of made everybody realize we got some talent on this team to help Jalen and try to get to where we want to get to.”

On how he’ll celebrate another 82-games-played season:

“Nah, just kind of keep to prayer and just thank God every single day.”

This crazy pic.twitter.com/iqbXDoLIhE

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) April 11, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...to-prayer-and-just-thank-god-every-single-day

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘We got to be honest with ourselves’

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

It’s quite clear the Knicks are trying to win the chip going 0-10 against top teams.

If you tell me the Knicks played through the regular season with the sole aim of becoming the first franchise to win the championship after going 0-10 against the NBA’s top-3 teams, I’d believe you.

That’s because New York hosted the No. 1 seed in the L and gave up a 28-point lead to the Cavaliers inside MSG, losing 108-102 on Friday’s pre-regular-season finale.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a couple Knickerbockers had to say about that stinking outing.

"We've just got to be honest with ourselves, look at what we did wrong. We've got to get it fixed and we've got to get it fixed fast."

Tom Thibodeau says the Knicks need to fix "everything" after tonight's loss to the Cavaliers: pic.twitter.com/0nwvq8jhg7

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 12, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On the loss to the Cavaliers:

“We got to be honest with ourselves, look at what we did wrong. We got to get it fixed. And we got to get it fixed fast.”

“Everything. We got to play for 48 minutes. Both sides of the ball.”

On the late-season slump and the need for rhythm:

“That’s the challenge that we have [to fix the issues in a short period of time].

“We’re heading down the stretch. We knew the challenge of Jalen [Brunson] going out [with an ankle sprain] and then coming back and then losing a couple other guys.

“But we got to have rhythm going into the playoffs. So this has to be changed quickly.”

On knowing the playoff opponent:

“We know who the opponent is in the playoffs now, we know they’re good, and we have to be prepared for that.”

On Brunson’s condition before the Cavs game:

“He says he feels good. So just get out there. Obviously, we expected to be some rough [parts], but he feels good overall.”

On balancing rest and rhythm ahead of the postseason:

“That’s always the question that everyone has. It’s rest vs. rhythm. I think each team has to make the decision for what’s best for their team. And in our case, we’re relying on the medical — if a guy needs time right now, he gets it. But until you lock up your seed, you have to keep going. And I think it’s important to understand that. But keep fighting to run through the finish line.”

On approaching the final regular season game:

“We need to get into a rhythm for the playoffs, and we need to have that urgency.”

"We're not playing close to our best basketball."

Josh Hart talks about how the Knicks can turn things around as they head towards the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/qrbtZznwHc

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 12, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On his confidence entering the postseason:

“I’m always confident in this group. At the end of the day, playoff basketball is totally different from the regular season. Everyone starts at 0–0. Everything else is outside noise, we’ve gotta focus on the guys we have in this locker room, doing what it takes to succeed as a team — not just as individuals — and execute it.

“I think we have the character of guys to do that. Our character will be tested next week.”

On losing games after reaching double-digit leads:

“Even not being at full strength, we were capable of winning each of those games.”

On the Knicks’ current performance level:

We aren’t “playing [anywhere] close to our best basketball.”

Jalen Brunson was asked what specifically the Knicks need to fix after Tom Thibodeau's postgame comments:

"Everything that you guys see and we see, we've got to fix that." pic.twitter.com/3iHvyZKKnb

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 12, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On how the team should move forward:

“We can talk about [Detroit] once we get through all 82 games.”

We need Durant to the Knicks JUST to get Paul to the Puerto Rican Day Parade pic.twitter.com/ANXug98jyh

— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) April 11, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...s-bulletin-we-got-to-be-honest-with-ourselves

 

[New York Knicks]

The rare and wacky calls of the 2024-25 season

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks have been called for all sorts of strange things this season.

81 down, one to go.

81 games into this roller coaster ride of a regular season, we’ve reached a point of reflection.

On Sunday, the Knicks will play their final game before the heart palpitations begin next weekend when the No. 3-seed Knicks and the No. 6-seed Pistons do battle in a best-of-seven series.

While sorting through the NBA’s stat page, I found a quirky part of the site.

Under the tab that defaults to “general”, there’s a pretty useless tab called “violations”.

In the violations tab, you see... violations.

They range from travels to double dribbles to the most niche of violations.

So, I thought with no meaningful games to play until next weekend, let’s go through some of these rare violations and find examples of the Knicks committing them this season.

We’ll start with the most common ones and end with the rarest, for funsies.

The Least Rare Calls​

A bunch of normal violations fall under here. The Knicks have committed:

107 offensive fouls, 81 shot-clock violations, 48 kicked-ball violations, 46 travels, 28 delay-of-games, and 24 charges.

Where do those rank in the NBA?

22nd, 4th, 2nd, T-17th, T-1st, and T-17th.

The kings of these calls are as follows:

Nets (136 O-Fouls & 100 SCVs), Timberwolves (52 kicked balls & 28 DoG), Grizzlies (81 travels), and Rockets (45 charges).

The most frugal?

Cavs (83 O-Fouls & 16 charges), Celtics (40 SCVs), Pistons (15 kicked balls), Lakers (29 travels)

Ok, onto the more fun ones.

Defensive Goaltending (10)​

Rank: T-27th | Most: Pelicans (37) | Least: Cavs (7)

The Knicks do not goaltend very often. The average team has committed around 20 of these violations, but we only see it happen once every eight games for the Knicks. It hasn’t happened in over a month.

Of the specific violators, Precious Achiuwa leads with three, followed by Jericho Sims, KAT, and Mitchell Robinson with two.

And then, there’s this one by Mikal Bridges in the first quarter of the entire NBA season back in October:

Defensive 3-Seconds (7)​

Rank: T-22nd | Most: Nets (19) | Least: Nuggets/Bulls (3)

I miss Ryan Arcidiacono.

Defensive 3-seconds is a center’s call. For example, Georges Niang is one of the only non-bigs to be called for it more than three times this season. Brook Lopez has somehow done it eleven times.

On the Knicks, OG Anunoby has done it twice, with Sims, KAT, Bridges, and Achiuwa also having one.

And then, there’s Matt Ryan.

For some indescribable reason, Matt Ryan got called for defensive 3-seconds on November 13th in a game the Knicks eventually lost by one. Unfortunately, there is no video of this.

Offensive 3-Seconds (5)​

Rank: T-9th | Most: Grizzlies (12) | Least: Nuggets/Suns (0)

Defensive 3-seconds’ less-common brother.

The Knicks are one of ten teams to have this called on them five times this season. Of those five, predictably, three were committed by Karl-Anthony Towns and two were committed by Mitchell Robinson.

Here’s the most recent one, committed by Mitch on 3/30 by just camping in the lane:

8-Second Violation (4)​

Rank: T-2nd | Most: Nets (5) | Least: Several (0)

These ones are always interesting. I feel like you see them more in college basketball, since pros can break a press better.

While several teams haven’t committed one, the Knicks are one of six teams to commit at least four. Not great.

In fact, one of these happened this week in Detroit, as Brunson fell down after being faceguarded at full court and had only PJ Tucker as backup. Maybe this should be in the film sessions this week, Thibby.

5-Second Violation (3)​

Rank: T-8th | Most: Jazz (6) | Least: Several (0)

Really? Only 3?

As a violation that only exists with high-pressure inbound plays, I’m surprised a team with longstanding inbound issues isn’t at the top of the list.

The Jazz somehow committed four in February alone. The last one to happen to the Knicks came on February 3rd, somehow on a regular third quarter inbound against the Rockets.

One of the other ones came in early January... in the first quarter?

Offensive Goaltending (3)​

Rank: T-20th | Most: Heat/Blazers (8) | Least: Warriors (0)

The ol’ cylinder call.

I think offensive goaltending is an extremely interesting concept. It’s legal in Europe and in international play, but illegal in the NBA.

My issue with it is that if a player tips a ball in while its on the cylinder and it isn’t called, there is no way to check it. Now, if it was called incorrectly, it could be challenged, but that only plays one side of the coin.

The NBA should fix this.

Anyway, this also happened on Thursday. Clean it up.

Palming (3)​

Rank: T-20th | Most: Grizzlies (6) | Least: Several (0)

The dumbest rule in basketball.

Palming is done dozens of times a game, every game. It’s been called a grand total of 61 times all season.

Now, I’m not advocating for MORE palming calls. However, the rule inconsistencies pretty much allow the referees to call it whenever they want. It goes uncalled way too much and it makes me think the rule isn’t worth it. It doesn’t shock me that Memphis has the most when Ja Morant is a target of officiating all the time.

Now, the rare time it was called on the Knicks was understandable. Josh Hart did something illegal here in an early March meeting with Golden State:

Backcourt Violation (2)​

Rank: 30th | Most: Blazers (14) | Least: Knicks (2)

Raise a banner. The Knicks are the only team to commit fewer than four backcourt violations this season.

The average team has committed eight this year, which is hard to believe.

The two Knicks ones were on December 23rd and January 27th. The more recent one cme after a miscommunication between KAT and Landry Shamet, along with slick hands by Jaren Jackson Jr., forced the error:

Double Dribble (1)​

Rank: 30th | Most: Blazers (10) | Least: Warriors (0)

Now, we’re cooking. From here out, only one violation each.

Portland, how the hell did you do this ten times?

The only time its happened to the Knicks this season came earlier this week, when OG Anunoby blatantly double dribbled against the Celtics:

Lane Violation (1)​

Rank: 30th | Most: Several (4) | Least: Several (0)

A ticky-tack call most of the time. I feel like a lot of lane violations also go uncalled.

The lone time it happened to a Knick this season was on November 17 against the nets, when OG pretty clearly committed it:

Jump Ball Violation (1)​

Most: Pacers (2) | Least: Several (0)

Now we’re talking.

OG should’ve been called for one against the Heat last month when he held Bam Adebayo’s arm down, but it wasn’t called.

This one occurred on the opening tip in the March 30 win over Portland, when KAT touched the ball before it reached its ascent. Boo.

Discontinued Dribble (1)​

Most: Timberwolves (6) | Least: Several (0)

Excuse me?

I need a primer on a discontinued dribble. Hang on.

If you’re curious, here’s the definition.

The one time it happened to the Knicks in 2024-25 was on December 21 in New Orleans, when KAT did... this.

After seeing it on video, yeah that makes sense.

Inbound Violation (0?)

Nope. Not believing this.

Josh Hart did this in Portland. I am not letting the NBA lie to me.

Look, it’s right here.

Ok, I guess it’s considered a travel. Whatever. I think I know what an inbound violation is supposed to look like.

The last time a Knick committed an inbound violation?

March 16, 2022 against Portland (lol) by Jericho Sims. I can’t find a video of that, but the Knicks somehow committed one just nine days earlier in Sacramento, when Deuce McBride literally handed the ball to Immanuel Quickley on an inbound with 0.2 seconds left in 16-point game.

Yes, it gets that stupid.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...runson-anunoby-towns-robinson-bridges-achiuwa

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘We’ll deal with Sunday on Sunday’

Contrary to Nets fans, Knicks supporters will keep watching their team play through April.

The Brooklyn Nets will host an NBA game today and not again until October at the earliest.

The New York Knicks will play today and host multiple games starting next week and through April, probably a chunk of May, and ideally all the way through mid-June.

Here’s what Coach Thibs, a few Knickerbockers, and a few Pistons (yes, we’re already warming up) had to say in the past few hours.

Tom Thibodeau was asked about playing the Pistons in the first round:

"We know who the opponent is and we know they're good and we're going to have to be prepared for them." pic.twitter.com/zYIXeWbcu5

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 12, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On the rest-versus-rhythm debate as the season wraps up:

“Until you have it, you play through. We need to get rhythm. We need to get better as a team, we need to get rhythm and so there’s always rest versus rhythm. You get the highest seed you possibly can, and then you make those decisions about whether you rest or what you’re doing.”

On whether he’ll play regular starters in the finale:

“We’ll deal with Sunday on Sunday.”

On the upcoming Pistons matchup not affecting the team’s immediate focus on Sunday’s matchup:

“We’ll get there when we get there. We still got one more game.”

On the Knicks’ playoff readiness and overall form:

“We need to get rhythm. We need to get better as a team, we need to get a rhythm. You get the highest seed you possibly can, and then you make those decisions about whether you rest or what you’re doing.”

On what needs to happen after recent collapses:

“We got to be honest with ourselves, look at what we did wrong. We got to get it fixed. And we got to get it fixed fast.”

On the team’s inconsistencies over 48 minutes:

“We’ve got to play for 48 minutes — both sides of the ball. That’s the challenge that we have. We’ve got to have rhythm going into the playoffs. So this has to be changed quickly.”

On why he believes winning always matters:

“I always think you need to win. There’s value in winning. I know that.”

"What's he carrying, a pizza?"

–– Clyde pic.twitter.com/iZA1fdNNcO

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 12, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On how he’s feeling physically before the season finale:

“I feel great. I feel better. Just continue to strive for that and just making sure I’m 100 percent myself going into tomorrow and Sunday and going for it.”

On whether he wants to play against Brooklyn:

“I want to win on Sunday. It’s just plain and simple.”

On the mental reset needed before the playoffs:

“We have to go into this next game with the right mentality and right mindset and have a short-term memory. We can’t let things like this linger on. It’s important to have short-term memory right now and continue to look forward. I know it’s tough. It sounds like it’s B.S., but it’s literally what we have to do right now in order for us to do better.”

On what went wrong against Cleveland on Friday:

“Obviously, we have to be better. To make it short and sweet: we have to be better. Everything you guys see and we see. We have to fix that.”

On not wanting to focus on the Pistons yet:

“We can talk about [Detroit] once we get through all 82 games.”

Josh Hart on:

Pistons in 1st round: "Gotta not just match their physicality but exceed it"
…
Knicks now: "We're not playing close to our best…Gotta prepare mentally & physically…Gotta find what makes this team successful…work on that…Playoff basketball's a different level" pic.twitter.com/cAK7ZQcAuk

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 12, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On the challenge of facing Detroit:

“That’s a good young team. We know the type of brand of basketball that they play so we have to go out there and not just match their physicality, but we’ve got to exceed it.

“So we’ve got one more game, we’ve gotta focus on that, but we’ve got a week to prepare for ’em.”

On whether the late-season skid affects team confidence:

“Does [losing these three] do anything to our confidence? No. Obviously, we would have liked to get at least one if not both, but like I said, it’s playoff basketball; we have to flip the page. We have to focus on Brooklyn, ending the season off right, and then Detroit.”

On the current state of the team’s play:

“We’re not playing close to our best basketball this week. We’ll look at situations and how to get us into our best basketball offensive and defensively and figure that out. We’ve gotta go out there and end the season right in Brooklyn and prepare mentally and physically [for Detroit].”

On missed opportunities in recent losses:

“Yeah I mean, even not being at full strength, I think the Boston one is one we for sure should have won. Even Detroit and today, we weren’t our full team out there, but we were capable of winning both of those games—[Friday] we were up [23]. We’ve got to find what makes this team successful.

“And playoff basketball is a different level: the intensity picks up, physicality picks up, so we’ve gotta make sure we spend this week preparing, but more importantly, mentally.”

"We got no problem with the fight"

–– JB Bickerstaff on a Pistons-Knicks series pic.twitter.com/Mf5jhYs1f7

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 11, 2025​

J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons Head Coach)​

On Thibodeau’s reputation as a coach:

“Obviously, Thibs is a great coach. His strategy, the way that he gets his guys to compete, defend, all those things. His ability to take away your first strength and the first option of what you’re trying to do is high level.”

On what separates the 2025 Pistons from his 2024 Cavs:

“This team is a completely different team than we had in Cleveland. Just the stylistic thing.

“I like our chances, period, with anybody just because the way we compete, the way they scrap. Again, it’s going to take some time for our guys to experience things. But I think we’re built for playoff basketball. But you’ve still got to find that experience in all that.”

" "

–– Pistons rookie Ron Holland on matching up against PJ Tucker pic.twitter.com/mWKggObloC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Ron Holland (Detroit Pistons Player)​

On the type of fight Detroit will bring to the playoffs against New York:

“I think whoever we play in the playoffs, it’s going to be feisty. That’s just how we play. We bring that Detroit Bad Boys, that Detroit grit to every single game that we play, and if New York is the team that we end up playing, we’re going to bring it every night.”

On the identity of Pistons basketball:

“[Pistons basketball means] 48 minutes of playing hard, and I feel like when we play hard, we’re at our all-time high, and that’s if the ball is going in or not. If we are competing at a high level, all of the other stuff will work out. We know if we [are] guarding the ball, locked in on defense, eventually the offense will end up coming. We kind of hang our hat on our defense for sure.”

"Back when I was doing Minor League Baseball...We'd say that's why they call it the Minor Leagues."

"This is something out of Keystone Cops."

Gary Cohen and Ron Darling react as a cart had to be pushed after running out of gas during Saturday's Mets-A's game. pic.twitter.com/gIW7CHp0Ol

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 12, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...icks-bulletin-well-deal-with-sunday-on-sunday

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 113, Nets 105: “He’s in a nice rhythm heading into the playoffs’”

Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Thibs goes with vets in the last game of the regular season with no implications, and they reward him with glowing performances

We all tuned into the Knicks’ afternoon matinee against the Nets expecting a meaningless contest between a team that has clinched the playoffs, and a team that has been eliminated for quite some time now. And while the game ultimately ended up being meaningless for the most part, Cameron Payne, Precious Achiuwa, and Tom Thibodeau didn’t really get the memo. And if those three didn’t get the memo that the game had no significance, then Landry Shamet didn’t even know that memos existed.

With the starters (minus Mikal Bridges, who played all of six seconds to continue his consecutive games streak) all sitting out the game, the Knicks trotted out Deuce McBride, and, P.J. Tucker, who was fouling early, and often, along with the aforementioned Payne, Achiuwa, and Shamet. Achiuwa got the Knicks off to a hot start, scoring 12 first-quarter points, which was the most he’s ever had in an opening period. But he wasn’t the only one scoring at will to start the game. Shamet chipped in nine points, going three of three from three, while Payne added another eight points.

But the Nets were getting almost anything they wanted on the other end as well. 25-year-old guard Tyrese Martin scored nine of his 20 points in the first quarter, while Jalen Wilson connected on a pair of threes to score six, Nic Claxton scored five, and Keon Johnson scored four. After a back-and-forth high scoring 12 minutes, the New York led Brooklyn 38-37.

From thereon out though, the game slowed down a bit. Neither team managed to score more than 29 points in a quarter, and a lot of the shots that were going down early stopped doing so except for Shamet. The veteran wing, who struggled mightily from three earlier on in the season, continued his hot shooting, scoring eight more points in the second quarter. But the period was less about what the Knicks did, as it belonged to the Nets. And in particular, it belonged to Trendon Watford. The undrafted rookie, who the Nets seem to like a lot, had 11 points, 2 steals, a rebound, and one assist in a quarter the Nets won by five. After 24 minutes of play, the Nets went into halftime up 66-62.

While the Nets’ offensive struggle only got worse in the second half, not much changed for the Knicks, as it was a lot of Shamet, and Payne, with some more fouls from Tucker, who started the third quarter with two fouls in the first 40 seconds. McBride led the way early on in the third quarter, scoring seven of his 17 points in the quarter, and Payne and Shamet added another six points, and five points respectively. Meanwhile, New York’s increased intensity on the defensive end, along with Brooklyn’s sudden inability to make threes, led to the Nets scoring just 17 points all quarter, giving the Knicks a five-point cushion heading into the final 12 minutes.

Landry Shamet 29 points 7 threes
pic.twitter.com/UqcbtMwKVP

— Teg (@IQfor3) April 13, 2025​

In what was the Nets’ final quarter of their season, Watford again looked good, scoring another nine points, but it was, yup, you guessed it, Shamet who closed the deal for the Knicks. The 27-year-old not only set a career-high in minutes, but he also set the record for most points off the bench by a Knick this season and came just two points away from tying his career-high of 31 points. As Mike Breen alluded to during today’s broadcast on MSG, “he’s in a nice rhythm heading into the playoffs.”

Now, Thibodeau likely continued to make some enemies today, hence the earlier mention that he might not have gotten the message about today being meaningless. This game could’ve and arguably should’ve, been used to give the Knicks’ rookies some much-needed needed experience-something Thibodeau obviously wasn’t inclined to do.

Landry Shamet (29) and Cameron Payne (21) both recorded their season-high in points in today's game.

Stat of the Game | @ouraring pic.twitter.com/JRxXuBEElL

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 13, 2025​

But it did serve as a nice final dress rehearsal for a pair of bench players who will be relied on in their limited, but very important minutes off the bench in the playoffs. Sure, it would’ve been nice to see Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Kevin McCullar Jr. all play 35 minutes, but it is admittedly comforting in a different way knowing that the pair of veteran bench players, along with McBride, all seemed primed to have solid postseasons.

Quite shoutout to McBride, who passed former Knick Evan Fournier (278 threes) for 25th on the Knicks all-time three-pointers made list, and McCullar Jr. who impressed fans, and both Breen and Walt Clyde Frazier with his intensity, and activity.

Deuce McBride passes Evan Fournier (278 threes) for 25th on Knicks all-time threes list pic.twitter.com/hyECglxsSm

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

And another quick shoutout to the Nets’ Claxton, who has now lost 10 consecutive games against the Knicks since saying he had never lost to the Knicks in his career.

"Me I never lost to the Knicks since I been in the league"

–– Nic Claxton now 0-10 vs Knicks since thispic.twitter.com/Oe39S43NFJ

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...es-in-a-nice-rhythm-heading-into-the-playoffs