Is this wait feeling like it has no end? Yes.
Will it eventually end? For sure, and it’ll do in just under 36 hours from today’s issue of your favorite Knicks Bulletin!
Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and a few other folks in the past few hours.
On Bridges’ adjustment to the team:
“I think for anybody who gets traded or in free agency or whatever it might be there’s an adjustment period that you have to go through and it takes some time. I think he’s very confident in his abilities.”
On Bridges’ increasing contributions:
“He’s a key part of our team. It’s all around, all the things that he brings. Secondary ball handler also, but his defense, his ability to run the floor, move without the ball, make timely shots, terrific three-point shooter from the corners. Just keep doing what you’re doing. So it’s been a steady climb for him. This will be a great challenge for not only him, but our entire team.”
On Towns’ Game 6:
“I thought KAT played a terrific game [in] Game 6. If you look at the rebounding and the defensive plays he made at the end of that game. That was huge for us. Huge.”
On the importance of making an impact beyond scoring:
“There’s games in which you don’t shoot the ball great, there’s other things you can do to help the team win. Whether you’re screening, same thing with Jalen. If there’s three guys on him, I don’t want him to take the tough shots. I want him to hit the open man. That’s what winning basketball is all about.”
On the Celtics’ infinite weapons:
“I think if you overlook guys like [Jrue] Holiday and [Derrick] White you’re making a big mistake. Those guys are all dangerous. [Kristaps] Porzingis is a terrific player. You’re dealing with five-out spacing. You look at what [Payton] Pritchard and [Sam] Houser have given them off the bench. [Luke] Kornet has been a big factor for them as well.”
On facing the Celtics:
“Obviously, [we have to] play better than we did [against them] throughout the regular season. Be better, ready to do it from the jump, knowing it’s going to be a game of runs, knowing that they’re capable of doing a lot of great things. I feel like we played better in that [fourth] game. We adjusted from the first three times we played them, obviously still not getting it done, but definitely played better and competed better than the first three games. So that’s something we can look at and build off of.”
On getting ready for the second round:
“We used [Friday] to decompress, rest and get your mind ready for the next challenge.”
On holding the underdog status vs. the Celtics:
“It is what it is.”
On the Knicks’ growth through the season’s ups and downs:
“I feel like when you are going through a season and have different ups and downs and you go through a lot of things, it tends to bring a team together. Regardless of how we won [the Detroit] series, we are moving on and we’re getting better and we have another chance to continue to get better.”
On the importance of staying strong amid shooting slumps:
“Yeah, we can’t let offense or shots falling dictate the way or how hard we play or the things that we can control. So I feel like a lot of people on this team have that mindset, and we’re going to have to. Because the longer we go to playoffs, the more difficult games are going to be. So we just can’t let little things like that kind of have an effect on how we’re playing.”
On OG Anunoby’s defense:
“I always have confidence [in OG] no matter who he is guarding. He brings that mindset every game. And so I have confidence regardless of whatever he is doing.”
On the importance of defending the three-point line against Boston:
“Obviously [we have to] keep bodies on bodies, not letting them loose for open threes. You have to contest everything and be ready for the long rebounds, the second shots.”
On Porzingis’ growth and playing with him in Dallas:
“The biggest thing I’ve seen from him is his selflessness. He’s been so unselfish, going into a team with a lot of pieces, and then doing more than just fitting in. He’s added to the culture. He’s brought a level of toughness, and obviously he stretches the floor offensively and then defensively. He’s a rim protector, so he does a lot for their team for them to be successful. But the way he just got there and fit in seamlessly right away, I think that was pretty special to see. I mean, I’m happy for his success and everything, and just being able to be teammates with him and see him now. It’s great to see. He’s a handful and you got to be ready for him.”
A phone went off during one of Karl-Anthony Towns’ answers at his press conference:
“That’s Thibs, talking about he want to watch film” pic.twitter.com/bjD9JCs7x1
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 3, 2025
On the Celtics’ entering the second-round matchup as the clear-cut favorites:
“They are the defending [NBA] champs for a reason.”
On what Boston does well:
“They found a formula that works for them, it’s worked against the whole entire league, got them a chip. We just gotta go out there, execute and stay disciplined. If we execute the way I know we can, play basketball the way I know we can, we’ll give ourselves a chance every night.”
On limiting Boston’s three-point shooting:
“Of course, you want to limit their 3-point attempts. It’s easier said than done. You gotta go out there and make it happen. You can’t just talk about it.”
On the Knicks playoff success, no matter how they get there:
“I’m about wins, so as long as we win then everything is fine. All I know is as long as we win we’re good. I’m going with that.”
On Bridges’ pressure handling:
“… When you’re playing for the New York Knicks, it comes with a different pressure than any other organization, any place in the world. I think he’s done a great job of trusting us, believing in us and I think the team has done a great job of rallying around each other, not just him. Mikal’s done exactly what he’s supposed to do. We have nothing but belief in his skill set, his talent, and his mentality.”
On fellow 2015 draftee Porzingis:
“I love Porzingis, man. We came into the league together. We had a bunch of great battles that you all got to watch personally. Just that competition. We got a lot of respect for each other.”
“Picks, whatever, you’re still playing for the New York Knicks. It comes with a different pressure than any other organization and place in the world.”
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about Mikal Bridges’ transition to the Knicks and how he’s handled pressure: pic.twitter.com/NGMZe9aXlJ
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 3, 2025
On his defensive “resurgence”:
“I don’t know if people thought I stopped playing [defense]. I know I struggled a little bit this year, but [I’m] just getting comfortable.”
On his improved rebounding:
“My coaches (have) been on me all year, all playoffs to rebound. So just trying to do my best.”
Joe Mazzulla to @John_Karalis on the Celtics avoiding being overconfident after sweeping the Knicks 4-0 in the regular season:
“It comes down to executing simple details over and over again with a high level of physicality and attention to detail, and you just have to be able to… pic.twitter.com/35RxFexHwR
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) May 3, 2025
On how to try and limit Brunson:
“You can’t do it with one guy, right? It takes a team — takes different matchups, takes different coverages, but there’s got to be a level of physicality, a level of discipline, a level of attention to detail on tendencies at the same time. If you add up all the points, there are a number of points to which you can work to be disciplined and work to control. At the same time, he’s a great player, and he’s going to make plays.”
On staying ready for anything throughout the playoffs:
“Every game takes on a life of its own. Every series takes on a life of its own. Right now, the series is 0-0. It’s two good teams getting ready to play.”
On the need for execution and great defense against New York:
“You have to be able to defend without fouling, rebound, take care of the ball, execute, be able to get to different stuff defensively, because of their ability to put pressure on the rim and get great shots.”
On the Knicks and their high-octane offense:
“Great coach, great depth, great team. You see what they’ve been able to do over the course of the season, and in the playoffs thus far, with their two guys — but also the way that the others are able to impact the game.
“Their offensive numbers are better. Their ability to change defenses is good. They have two guys that can score at all three levels. They got role guys that could really impact the game.”
On preparing his players:
“There’s always ways to get better, whether it’s on the practice court, whether it’s in the film room, whether it’s on walkthroughs, whether it’s getting up and down. You just have to take it, take advantage of all the ways you could learn and institute a game plan. It’s the playoffs. No one’s 100%.”
On the need for applying and excelling at fundamentals in the postseason:
“You still have to rebound, you have to take care of the basketball. You have to be able to defend without fouling. You have to execute. You have to set good screens. You have to sprint in transition. You have to get to the corners. You have to sprint back. You have to keep it 5-on-5. You have to protect the paint. Have to box out. All those details are super important.”
On Brunson:
“Big-time player. Seems to make the big plays for them. He’s had an unbelievable year, and obviously these playoffs, he’s taken it to another level. Try to make it as difficult as we can for 48 minutes.”
On the challenge of going against the Knicks:
“It’s the playoffs. They’re here for a reason. They’re really good team, and it’s gonna be a big challenge.”
On the regular-season sweep:
“Everything we did in the regular season doesn’t really mean a whole lot.”
Kristaps Porzingis on the Celtics’ upcoming series vs. the Knicks:
“We saw them a few times this year. Talented. Brunson, high level. Towns, high level…It’s gonna be a challenge with those two guys, and they have good guys around them.” pic.twitter.com/9mt2e9mqJz
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) May 3, 2025
On feeling the pressure of being the favorites against New York:
“(Our biggest advantage) goes back to experience. The experience and versatility of our team. So many guys that can step up… It’s a big advantage that we have. Not many teams have this type of talent
“I believe we’re going to be the favorites and betting odds, right? So if anything, it’s us who have more to lose because of that.”
On the matchup against Towns matchup:
“He’s a tough matchup with the shooting, with his talent offensively. He’s a tough matchup for anybody. It’s going to take a team effort to stop him.”
NBA Top 75 All-Time Player, Class of 2025 Naismith Hall of Famer, 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, and now NBC Sports Analyst.
Welcome to the team, Carmelo Anthony! pic.twitter.com/jmi8WYL0TO
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 3, 2025
On joining NBC Sports:
“Watching the NBA on NBC growing up shaped my love for the game. Now, I’m thrilled to join the NBC Sports family. I’ve always used my platform to help grow the game, and I’m excited to bring fans a fresh perspective as we usher in a new era of NBA coverage and programming.”
Jay Williams on Jalen Brunson: “I don’t think they are going to have a chance against the Boston Celtics but I think we are watching the greatest Knick ever to play in that Knick uniform.”
(via @GetUpESPN) pic.twitter.com/ANIaMpyjPw
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 2, 2025