New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau addressed the media on Monday, offering detailed insight into his team’s preparation ahead of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
When asked about his decision to consistently play his starters heavy minutes throughout the regular season and playoffs, Thibodeau remained firm in his philosophy.
“You do what you think gives your team its best chance to win,” he said. “You run your own race.”
The Knicks, who finished the regular season at 51-31, advanced to the conference finals after defeating Detroit in the first round and knocking off defending champion Boston in six games.
Thibodeau noted that playoff success stems from more than just rotation strategies, emphasizing that preparation and experience dictate results.
“You condition yourself for what you want your body to do,” Thibodeau said. “Our guys have prepared themselves well.”
Facing an Indiana team that eliminated the Cavaliers in five games and posted its first 50-win season since 2014, Thibodeau acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the Pacers’ style.
“They have multiple point guards and skilled bigs,” he said. “That’s the way of the NBA today.”
He credited Indiana’s ability to maintain its up-tempo offense in the postseason to how well the team is built around its core players.
“They’ve done a good—Haliburton has a certain strength,” he said. “If you overlook Nembhard, you’re making a big mistake.”
While some observers see similarities between Indiana and the Celtics, Thibodeau was careful to distinguish their systems.
“Every team is a little bit different,” he said. “There are some similarities, but you have to be adept at guarding offenses built like that.”
The Knicks last faced the Pacers in the postseason during the 2023-24 playoffs and fell short, but Thibodeau downplayed any sense of revenge.
“You have to be process-oriented,” he said. “Sometimes you fall short of your goal.”
With the Knicks returning to the conference finals for the first time since 2000, the magnitude of the moment has not shifted Thibodeau’s approach.
“You always want to be moving forward,” he said. “You never want to be satisfied with where you are.”
Thibodeau also deflected attention away from a potential chess match between himself and Rick Carlisle, instead redirecting focus to team preparation.
“You’ve got to prepare for their team,” he said. “If you lock into individual matchups, you get lost in what is really important.”
As the Knicks prepare to host Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, Thibodeau emphasized the value of steady improvement and team focus.
“There’s no carryover from the previous game,” he said. “You’ve got to earn it every night.”
