New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau credited unselfish team play and mental toughness after a fourth-quarter surge led to a 106-100 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Speaking postgame, Thibodeau emphasized that the late-game dominance stemmed from cohesive execution and adjustments, saying, “We were at our best in the fourth. A lot of guys stepped up.”
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the final frame, helping New York erase a 16-point third-quarter deficit despite nursing a sore knee.
“There’s sort of the mantra of the team—unselfish guys,” Thibodeau said about the approach to feeding Towns. “When someone gets going, you try to continue to keep them going.”
Jalen Brunson, who battled foul trouble most of the night, scored 23 points, including the layup that gave the Knicks the lead with just over seven minutes remaining.
Thibodeau also praised Josh Hart’s all-around impact and Miles McBride’s composure after early foul trouble, noting, “Deuce gave us good minutes when Jalen was in foul trouble.”
McBride, despite picking up three fouls in less than two minutes, returned to spark a brief scoring run that helped swing momentum.
“It’s not easy to do,” Thibodeau said of McBride staying mentally engaged. “He’s a catalyst.”
Indiana entered the fourth with a narrow lead but struggled from deep and turned the ball over repeatedly, opening the door for New York’s push.
Despite the physical toll of the game, Thibodeau dismissed injury concerns for Towns and Hart, stating, “Our medical team was voted the best in the league… both of those guys are mentally tough.”
The Knicks adjusted their lineup in Game 3, deploying different rotations, which Thibodeau said was part of the team’s flexible approach.
“Whatever gives your team the best chance to win,” he explained. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
With the road win, New York cut Indiana’s series lead to 2-1 and now has a chance to even the series in Game 4 on Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
