Grab some popcorn. Find a seat.
Enjoy the bloodbath between the Sixers and the Celtics.
The Knicks will just be resting and patiently waiting.
Mike Brown
On the offensive changes after falling down 2-1 in Game 3:
“We changed what we’d done offensively, but again, it was because we were pushed to do it. We feel pretty good about what we fell into. We had to find more ways to put our guys in their strengths while getting to it quickly while still having options.
I’m not a guy that likes to call every play. I want our guys to be able to read where the advantage is quickly throughout the course of the action. And Atlanta forced us to find a way to do that and we feel pretty good about where we’re at right now. But it happened holistically after Game 3.”
Josh Hart
On how the Knicks flipped the first-round series:
“I think I had good physicality. I was able to force him into some tough shots. I was just trying to make life hard for him. Obviously, that’s a guy that’s got a lot of buckets in this league. That was something I thought, after Game 1 and Game 2, he kind of went off and kind of took over the game, that’s the matchup that I wanted going into Game 3 and after. For starters, I thought KAT was amazing. To start the game blitzing, protecting the rim, he had some big blocks, his energy was huge for us. I just think the physicality, the attention to detail, focus on the game plan, I think all those are at a very high level. And now we have to continue to build, watch Game 7 Saturday and focus on who we have.”
On running the offense through Towns:
“I think we were always comfortable with [running offense through Towns]. I think we just didn’t do a good enough job doing that. So that’s something that you’ve seen the ability. He’s able to do — what, two triple doubles in the last three games? It shows the ability. He’s able to knock down shots, play off the dribble and pass very well. So that’s something we’re gonna continue to do.”
On personally asking coaches to defend CJ McCollum:
“Dude goes down and averages 30 [points] for the first two games, nah. I’ll be the point of attack on that. I cursed out one of our defensive [coaches] for taking me off him at the end of Game 3. I said, ‘I’m on him. Don’t take me off him. I’m guarding him,’ And that was the challenge I wanted.
“At a certain point, it’s just pride. It’s wanting to obviously try to stop him, to limit him. Games 1 and 2, he had (about) 30 [per game]. It was just a pride thing. Go out there and get stops.”
Jalen Brunson
On the need for refocusing after the first-round win:
“It’s good to celebrate the wins, but I mean, we can’t let it drag on. We have to focus up. Wake up tomorrow, and it’s on to the next.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On finding consistency in the playoffs:
“During this series, we didn’t play our best basketball. For us to make a statement about who we could be when we’re clicking on all cylinders [is important]. It’s great for us to have this kind of tape, so that we can look back at it and see, when we’re playing our best, what are we doing correctly? But it’s about consistency in the playoffs. How many times can we do that in a seven-game series?”
On answering the call against the Hawks:
“I just wanted to answer the call. You ask for the opportunities, and they oblige. I’ve got to repay that trust and that opportunity. I always talk to y’all about impacting winning. I got more opportunities to do that, and I wanted to make sure I took advantage of the opportunities I was given and I’m proud I’ve been able to help us win.”
On Knicks’ fans and the sky-high expectations:
“It’s understandable that the fans didn’t know what version they would see of us, especially after—during this series, we didn’t play our best basketball. And for us to make a statement about who we are when we’re clicking on all cylinders — it’s great for us to have this kind of tape to look back at and see when we’re playing our best, what are we doing throughout the game.”
Miles McBride
On getting Towns the ball more:
“I feel like we’ve been comfortable with [going to Towns]. I think KAT is doing a better job of asserting himself, posting up, wanting the ball, and then making the plays. He’s a great player. So I feel like it’s kind of both of our parts as a team. We’ve got to make a conscious effort to get great players the ball in areas we know they’re going to excel. At the same time, they have to want to be assertive in those positions.”
Jordan Clarkson
On staying ready while out of the rotation:
“[Being out of the rotation is] definitely challenging, but I’ve been in the league for 12 years. I know how it goes. Just continue to stay ready. There’s a locker room of young guys and other people, watching me and seeing how I react to those things. Set an example for them. Continue to stay locked in. … Just wait for my opportunity to go out there and play. Everybody setting that example and having everybody ready is big for the team.”
Boosie
On the exchange with Jalen Brunson:
“Jalen Brunson ran over me. Jalen Brunson ran over me We had a real collision Yeaaaahh I need the video Who got the video? Jalen Brunson ran over me I need the video.”
