Tom Thibodeau, the coach of the New York Knicks, was furious when the officials did not call a foul on Oklahoma City Thunder player Lu Dort, who seemed to have struck Jalen Brunson during his game-winning drive with 4.1 seconds remaining.
After the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Knicks 113–112 on March 31, Thibodeau urged reporters to “write what you see.” “I can only say that. Record your observations in writing.
After the hard drive, Brunson came to the ground and lifted his hands to signal the refs for a foul.
If Brunson had made the extra shot, the Knicks would have been up two points and would have forced OT despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning jump shot with 1.8 seconds remaining.
As Brunson missed the buzzer, Gilgeous-Alexander’s basket proved to be the game-winning basket.
After his lengthy conversation with the referee following the defeat, Brunson reportedly claimed, “He said it wasn’t a foul,” according to ESPN. That’s what he said, to cut a long story short.
Knicks’ Problems in Minutes Without Jalen Brunson
The Knicks would not have been in controversy if they hadn’t blown a 10-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The Thunder capitalized on Brunson’s respite at the start of the last frame. Oklahoma City tied the game at ninety-all after going on a 15–5 surge in the first three minutes.
Regarding Brunson, Thibodeau remarked, “Well, the thing is that he’s got to go to the bench sometime.” And we need to figure out a strategy to make up some points while he’s away. However, you’re also attempting to buy Josh [Hart] a few minutes.
We must remember that we now lack three starters. With your second group, you typically have two starters on the floor. However, we have more than enough.
The Thunder Beach team defeated the second unit of the Knicks 36–18.
The Knicks suffered because of the injuries to Julius Randle (shoulder), Mitchell Robinson (ankle), and OG Anunoby (elbow).
With eight games remaining in the regular season, Hart’s 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists in 45 minutes raised eyebrows.
According to SNY, Hart told reporters, “I’m looking at it like this is the team we’re going to have.” That, in my opinion, is the best course of action. that those men aren’t returning and that if they do, we’ll be pleasantly pleased.
After making a temporary comeback for two games following ankle surgery, Robinson was a late scratch. Anunoby has missed the previous seven games due to inflammation in his elbow that was surgically healed. Since January 27, Randle has not been seen.
The Biting Reality Sets in
With a depleted lineup, the Knicks came close to defeating the best team in the West, and Thibodeau was happy with the team’s overall effort despite the loss and the nasty conclusion.
Thibodeau remarked of the Thunder, “And they’re good.” They are perched on top of the West. Thus, we are only one basket away from winning the match. Thus, what happens if Alexander’s shot misses? We’re conversing about an entirely other story while we sit here, though.
But with the playoffs approaching, the harsh reality that this Knicks squad is without three stars is starting to set in.
Only so far can they travel while Brunson is carrying them.
Two nights later, against Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the leading MVP contenders, and the Thunder, Brunson’s career-high 61 points were insufficient to defeat Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Brunson finished with 30 points despite making only 4 of 8 free throws. Throughout the last minutes, the Knicks missed five three-pointers, three of which came from Brunson.
The game was quite physical, according to Thibodeau. It then turned into a touch-based game. Thus, we must adapt.
