Knicks take hard lessons after the latest Celtics gut

On By Littum

After consuming films from the ugly defeat to Celtics, Jalen Brunson believes Knicks showed improvements – at least improvement from the season opener’s low bar – and then proof that his team can compete with the reigning masters.

“I learned if we fight we have a chance,” Brunson said on Monday. “I think that last time wasn’t even a game in Boston. So we have to give ourselves a chance. We must be ready from the jump. ”

The encouraging part of the film session quoted by both Brunson and Tom Thibodeau was the start of the third quarter when Knicks went with a small lineup and cut a 14-point deficit to three in just over four minutes.

Hope was short -lived.

Jaylen Brown #7 by Boston Celtics heads the web as Jalen Brunson #11 from New York Knicks defender in Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images

Boston responded with a 26-7 race-inclusive two sets of three bad shots after Jayson Tatum and Derrick White were buried attempted trees-and-knicks were buried.

The crooked competition that followed a Celtic’s annihilation of Knicks in October was followed by concerns Thibodeau’s team was too far below the top crust to think of getting out of the east.

As NBA analyst and former player Brian Scalabrine said in the wake of, “If you’re knicks, it all comes together. You will again be reminded that you are just not at the same level. ”

But Brunson seemed to recognize more corrected mistakes than sweeping charges.

“I saw us start flat. And then I saw us cutting a large deficit for three. And then, when we talked about (Monday), of course as a team-when they first took that timeout and then we violated a 3-point shooter, they went on one (running), ”the Point Guard said. “The way we fought in the middle of the game is the way we have to play throughout the game. I’ve said this – no matter who you play is to see where you are at. But with them it’s another standard. They are the masters, so of course we have a lot of room for improvement. And we just need to be focused on it. ”

Assessing how they are stacked up against Celtics is relevant not only because they were the former opponent of Tuesday’s game in Indiana, but also because New York’s path to the conference finals is likely to go through Boston.

Knicks were torn in both Matchups this season against the division enemy, but felt better at being within striking distance in the second half Saturday without their wounded top defender, and Anunoby.

New York Knicks Guard Josh Hart (3) goes up for a shot when Boston Celtics Center Neemias Queta (88) jumps to defend over the second half as New York Knicks played Boston Celtics on Saturday 8th February 2025 in Madison Square Garden In Manhattan, new. Robert Sabo to New Post

“We cut it to three with six minutes left to go in the third quarter, and we had a few bad violations that gave them points,” Thibodeau said. “And it was a big hit. You have to play 48 minutes against them. ”

The lineup that threw the failed comeback was among the smallest inmates this season of Thibodeau. In an attempt to increase the offense, he replaced Precious Achiuwa with Miles McBride to start the second half.

It is rare for Thibs to sacrifice size and rebounding, but the coach said he had to find something more effective against Celtics.

He settled on Fivesome of Brunson, McBride, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. Thibodeau said he couldn’t commit to the set up against Pacers until he learned the status of Anunoby, who won’t return until after the All-Star break, according to ESPN, but is listed as questionable for Tuesday with a sprained foot.

New York Knicks Guard Miles McBride (2) Drives to the Boston Celtics Guard Derrick White (9) basket during the first half of an NBA basketball match, Saturday 8 February 2025, in New York. AP

Achiuwa started in Anunonby’s three DNPs so far.

”(McBride setup) is more circumference. (The one with Achiuwa) is more large – rebounding, defense. That kind of thing, ”Thibodeau said. “We had entered such a big hole, we had to change what we did.

“Every time you do one thing, it will make you vulnerable in another area. So basically we just have to play better. It wasn’t on a particular guy. We were looking for something that would give us energy, give us a spark and that is where we went. ”

Regardless of the lineup, Knicks faced another type of measuring stick against the pacers, the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season.

And when they look back on the Celtics blowing, the small window of prosperity in the third quarter is enough to believe things can be better.

“We focus on jumping back. We focus on the big time, ”Brunson said. “It’s not easy. But we can’t just dwell on what just happened. Obviously we lost. We got our donkeys kicked. But how do we move on from it? We can’t just sit there and think sin on ourselves. “