Thibodeau did not provide any new information on Anunoby’s condition during his post-game interview with reporters. If he is not able to play in Game 3 on Friday, Thibodeau will only have a roster of six players he considers dependable, with the potential for a few minutes from Alec Burks.
They made arrangements as though he would not be present.
During the second quarter, as the Knicks were facing difficulty keeping up with the fast-paced Pacers’ offense, Brunson was consulting with New York’s training team to determine if he was able to continue playing.
Until that point, however: You provide all that you possess. That is the only expectation for a player. And this approach can lead to many victories.[embedded content]“Honestly, it’s just the willpower. It seems like they really just wanted it more tonight,” said McConnell, who termed it “frustrating” to see such a tightly curtailed rotation in which everyone’s playing so many minutes still manage to be the aggressor late.
“I was faced with a decision,” Brunson stated. “And I ultimately chose a course of action.”
The Knicks’ coach gave a tribute to Spartan’s highest honor on Wednesday as a way to mourn the loss of center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson suffered a stress injury on his previously surgically repaired left ankle, which ultimately ended his season before the Knicks secured a 130-121 victory in Game 2. With New York already lacking players due to injuries to Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanović, losing Robinson meant that Thibodeau only had seven players he trusted to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pacers on Monday. In the final quarter of Game 2 of the second round, Jalen Brunson celebrates after making a scoring play against the Pacers.
The leadership may face another challenge soon. Anunoby had 28 points in 28 minutes but had to leave the game with 3:27 remaining in the third quarter due to a possible injury to his left leg while on a fast break. The Knicks have declared that he will not return for the remainder of the game due to a sore left hamstring.
Their words caused a great deal of disappointment: injured right foot, unsure if he can come back. The one player that the Knicks cannot afford to be without — the one who, throughout the regular season, was the deciding factor between New York having the second-best scoring offense in the NBA and the worst — was now at risk of not being available.
Some members of the Knicks were uncertain whether he would return to the team.
“Yeah, well, the thing about Jalen: He never asks out of a game,” Thibodeau said. “So, you know, I knew that there was something.”
However, they still clung onto hope.
The New York Knicks have a strong identity and mindset, and they will continue to hold onto it until proven wrong. The Indiana Pacers have not been able to change their beliefs, and even science cannot sway a team that believes in the power of hard work.
With less than four minutes remaining in the opening period, Jalen Brunson challenged T.J. McConnell’s shot and suddenly had a slight limp. Following a successful 3-point shot by Obi Toppin and the subsequent inbound pass, Brunson motioned for a substitution while glancing at the Knicks’ bench. This caught Thibodeau’s attention as an unusual occurrence.
During Game 2 on Wednesday, there was a period of approximately 15 and a half minutes where it seemed we had finally found the solution.
In the last three games, DiVincenzo has been playing an average of 45.1 minutes per game. He has taken on the responsibility of creating more shots to support his teammates, while also defending All-Star players such as Tyrese Maxey and Tyrese Haliburton for the entire length of the court. Before Wednesday, Brunson’s playoff average for minutes played was just under 44 minutes per game. Despite suffering from an injured foot, he played the last 24 minutes consecutively.Brunson joined Hart and DiVincenzo in playing the entire second half on that sore right foot, scoring a point per minute — 24 of his team-high 29 points, on 9-for-16 shooting. If he doesn’t come back, this series is probably headed back to Indiana tied at one. But he did. So it’s not.[embedded content]
Throughout the entire season, he remains resilient despite any challenges he faces, such as injuries. DiVincenzo acknowledged that his return to the game was crucial and everyone was aware of it.
As Brunson started to move and alter his course, he focused less on the history of the Knicks and more on current situations.
Tyrese Haliburton, the All-Star point guard, made his mark on the game by increasing his offensive aggression in Game 2 compared to the previous game. As a result, the Pacers scored 37 points in the second quarter against New York, giving them a 168.2 offensive rating, with 11 assists on 15 made baskets, only one turnover, and six 3-pointers. This allowed the Pacers to have a 73-63 lead at halftime.
Jalen Brunson has exited the tunnel and is now on the court, shooting free throws.
“We should make it difficult for them and encourage them to use as much energy as they can,” he stated.
The Knicks managed to maintain a high rate of scoring even without Brunson, as they had Hart and DiVincenzo take on more play-initiating responsibilities against Indiana’s full-court pressure. They also utilized Hartenstein more in dribble handoff plays and capitalized on Anunoby’s assertive offensive play during his time in Manhattan.
Hart has now played every second of the last 10 quarters the Knicks have played and has gone the distance in four of New York’s eight postseason games. Asked what would change if Anunoby’s unavailable for Game 3, the ever-quotable Hart replied, “I’m playing 48 anyway, dog. Ain’t s*** change.”
According to Thibodeau, if he is able to, he will definitely go because that is his nature.
Just curious, how was the game?
In the end, it will make a difference. Over time, any contributions the Pacers make to wear down the Knicks will have a positive outcome, as even the strongest individuals become fatigued. Ultimately, even the most resilient fighters succumb to the battle of endurance.— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) May 9, 2024
When they faced Brunson without a double team, mainly relying on Andrew Nembhard but also using other players except for McConnell, who has been exceptional on offense and defense in the first two games, he was able to dominate with his impressive shooting skills that have made him a highly skilled scorer in the sport.
After a few cautious attempts, where he played without the ball, Brunson devised a strategy: To aggressively defeat them.
The silence in Madison Square Garden was overwhelming.
However, the main concerns arose from the other side. Indiana’s persistent dedication to increasing the pace of the game – moving the ball quickly after missed shots, made shots, turnovers, and almost any other event that can occur on a basketball court – caused the Knicks to appear lost and unfocused.
With almost 20,000 enthusiastic fans filling Madison Square Garden, Brunson confidently stepped onto the court, taking a few shots and stretching before deciding to play. It was not lost on anyone that this was exactly 54 years after Willis Reed’s legendary performance in the 1970 NBA Finals, when he limped onto the court with a torn thigh muscle to inspire the Knicks in Game 7. Brunson even joked with his teammates about this coincidence afterwards.
DiVincenzo stated that Thibs has established a clear plan, and everyone stays within that framework regardless of who is playing. The team knows their goal and as long as they focus on defense, rebounding and avoiding turnovers, they have the ability to win any game.
He stated, “He gave us all he had. That’s the most one can request from a player.”
During a postgame interview on MSG, Hart expressed that while they would prefer to be in good health, they have capable replacements when a player is injured. They have an abundant amount of talent on their team.
He stated that he needed to focus and align his thoughts in order to strategize for the second half.
Thibodeau emphasized the significance of mental toughness, stating that it is crucial for overcoming challenges and performing at your peak even when you are not at your physical best. He praised the person’s leadership abilities.[embedded content][embedded content]
When the Pacers double-teamed or attempted to pressure him into giving up the ball, he remained composed and passed to his release-valve options, primarily Hartenstein or Hart, relying on them to continue the possession smoothly.
McConnell stated that Jalen is experienced in that type of coverage and is able to execute it effectively. Jalen and their team were successful in executing cuts and getting the ball to the necessary players, resulting in made shots.
“When he is present, there is a sense of ease and certainty that we will successfully make every shot,” DiVincenzo described.
“I am unsure of our score at halftime, but in the locker room we were determined to win the game,” said DiVincenzo. “We needed to focus on our defense, rebounding, and avoiding giving the other team too many chances. We also needed to stick to our offensive game plan and not lose control.”
Brunson, who came in fifth place for the 2024 NBA MVP award and was the top scorer in the 2024 NBA playoffs, was taken off the Knicks bench and returned to the locker room during the first quarter. His father, Rick Brunson, who is an assistant coach for the Knicks, also left the bench shortly after.
Thibodeau stated, “When he didn’t return, one waits to receive information from medical personnel.”
Tom Thibodeau, who is not typically sentimental, spoke 18 syllables in New York that could be compared to a love letter.
However, in the second half, the Knicks have been the ones taking control of the rebounding game. They have also improved their defensive performance, giving up fewer points per 100 possessions compared to the first half. The Knicks are also consistently capitalizing on opportunities and coming away with important possessions, even when they are expected to be tired.
