New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau discussed his team’s emotional 94-93 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night, which put the Knicks just one game away from advancing in the playoffs. The Knicks overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, fueled by clutch performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.
The mood in the locker room after the game was high, with Thibodeau emphasizing the team’s mental toughness. “Playoff wins are tough. It’s hard to get them. We didn’t have much going our way to start the fourth and dug down and found a way to win,” he said. “KAT hitting the big shots, Jalen big shots, Mikal’s defense, OG’s defense, Josh’s hustle plays, the rebounds. We needed everybody and just found a way to win.”
One of the standout moments was Brunson’s remarkable return after leaving the game with a leg injury. He came back in the fourth quarter and scored 15 points in just 10 minutes. Thibodeau was unfazed by the injury scare, simply stating, “I think he changed his shoes.”
The Knicks’ defense was also crucial down the stretch, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges contributing key stops on Pistons star Cade Cunningham. Thibodeau praised their defensive efforts, noting, “You have to have the mental toughness to do that play after play.”
Towns, who had 27 points and five three-pointers, hit the decisive shot with 46.6 seconds left, showcasing his incredible range. Thibodeau remarked, “He has amazing touch, and he shoots the ball like a guard. He’s got unlimited range.”
Josh Hart, known for his hustle, made several key plays, including a crucial strip on Cunningham late in the game. “He’s everywhere,” said Thibodeau. “And you need that mindset.”
Thibodeau also highlighted the team’s mental toughness and discipline, especially in the face of adversity. “You got to fight to win every possession,” he stated. “When things weren’t going our way, everyone was just — they said it’s keep fighting, keep fighting.”
Cunningham put up an impressive 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first career playoff triple-double, but he missed two critical shots and committed a turnover in the final minutes. Despite this, Thibodeau praised the Knicks’ ability to stay focused under pressure.
Thibodeau also addressed the possibility of doing without a key player like Brunson, saying, “You never want to see any of your players get injured…but if Jalen goes out — we’ve already been through that where he missed an extended amount of time.”
As Game 5 approaches, Thibodeau remains confident in his team’s ability to close out the series. “You have to trust each other and work together,” he said. “It’s not about the individual; it’s about the group.”
