Following the final buzzer that sealed their Game 6 victory over the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges, celebrating on the court, spoke with veteran announcer Mike Breen.
Bridges played a crucial role in the win, scoring a left-handed putback to tie the game with 35 seconds remaining, just before star Jalen Brunson hit the decisive three. The eight-year veteran wing was clearly energized when Breen inquired about the Knicks` tendency for dramatic finishes.
“We`re built for this,” the typically reserved Bridges exclaimed, expressing confidence in the team`s ability to handle pressure, before Breen reminded him of the live broadcast.
Expletives aside, Bridges` statement was hard to dispute. Their comeback from a seven-point deficit in the final two and a half minutes was a fitting end to a series where the last four games were decided by three points or less. This dramatic run prepared them for a compelling conference semifinal clash against the reigning champion Boston Celtics – a series many expected not to showcase New York`s late-game heroics.
In their regular-season meetings, Boston dominated the Knicks with victories by 23, 27, and 13 points. Furthermore, when games were close in the final minutes, the Celtics boasted the league`s best clutch-time winning percentage.
However, the Knicks, appearing revitalized, have displayed remarkable toughness in critical late-game situations, both against Detroit in the first round and currently against Boston. Even after a significant 22-point loss in Game 3, New York troubled the Celtics significantly in Games 1 and 2, pushing both to the wire after erasing substantial 20-point deficits at TD Garden.
Led by defensive standout Bridges, who secured the decisive stop in their wins, and the NBA`s Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson, the Knicks truly seem equipped to manage the intense, gritty moments of playoff basketball.
“Going through many tough situations has been a significant advantage,” stated backup guard Deuce McBride. “We face challenges together and often emerge victorious.”
How have the Knicks developed such consistent composure in chaotic late-game scenarios? And, more critically looking ahead to Game 4, will this resilient team manage to keep games close enough against Boston for their clutch capabilities to be a factor?
While some teams falter under pressure, the Knicks appear to thrive.
The Knicks` success in tight playoff contests isn`t accidental; the team possesses distinct characteristics and chemistry that enhance their threat level in clutch moments.
Clutch situations, defined as the final five minutes with a score difference of five points or less (or overtime), typically involve deliberate possessions and isolation plays. These mirror the Knicks` usual playing style. New York had one of the league`s slowest paces during the regular season, averaging under 98 possessions per 48 minutes. Furthermore, relying on Brunson in late-game actions is logical, given he averaged an NBA-high 8.6 minutes per game with the ball in his hands.
It`s worth noting that despite discussions about starter minutes, Coach Tom Thibodeau`s primary lineup has shared the court more than any other unit in the league this season. This extensive playing time has allowed the group to build chemistry and understand their roles in various game states – holding large leads, facing significant deficits, and excelling in clutch moments.
This aligns with Thibodeau`s core philosophy: cultivating “mental discipline to navigate everything that can occur” over a season. Many players on the Knicks roster embody this, possessing numerous intangible qualities that can influence the outcome of a close game.
Josh Hart, the Knicks` embodiment of hustle despite being only 6-foot-4, is remarkably effective, recovering an NBA-leading 88 loose balls in the regular season. His knack for offensive rebounding—exploiting the space opponents give him due to his inconsistent outside shooting—provides crucial extra possessions for New York.
“People discuss offensive runs, but I believe defensive and rebounding runs are also possible,” Thibodeau commented. “Josh is a perfect illustration; he can grab four or five rebounds consecutively, even if his shooting isn`t on point.”
The Knicks` offensive rebounding significantly improved with Mitchell Robinson`s return to the lineup on February 28th after ankle surgery.
This postseason, New York is recovering almost 39% of their missed shots, a rate that would lead the NBA in both the regular season and playoffs. Without Robinson, their offensive rebound rate was an average 29.9%.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, both impactful two-way wings, have made crucial clutch plays throughout the season. Beyond hitting game-winners earlier (Anunoby in Memphis, Bridges in Portland), their defensive contributions are significant. Anunoby ranks high in deflections, and Bridges leads the NBA with five combined blocks and steals (“stocks”) in the final 10 seconds of one-possession games, two of which secured wins against Boston in Games 1 and 2.
“When we narrow the gap to within 10 points, we always believe we can win,” Thibodeau stated following the Game 2 win against the Celtics.
However, this confident declaration highlights a challenging reality for the Knicks in their upset bid.
Jalen Brunson perhaps summarized the situation best after New York`s first loss of the series on Saturday.
“We cannot consistently trail against a team like this,” he remarked, acknowledging the Knicks` limited margin for error compared to the Celtics. “Making comebacks is difficult against any NBA team, especially a great one like the defending champions.”
“I don`t believe we want to find ourselves down by 20 points every game; that won`t benefit us.”
New York has yet to defeat Boston in a game that wasn`t decided in the final moments. In six of their seven meetings this season, Boston held 20-point leads. Therefore, the Knicks` chances of winning this series, which they initially led 2-0, likely depend on their ability to remain competitive enough to secure two more victories in clutch scenarios.
This strategy faces significant challenges. Apart from the injury concern for Karl-Anthony Towns` hand during Game 3, Robinson`s effective rebounding is being countered by Boston`s intentional fouling (“hacking”). Robinson has struggled from the free-throw line, missing 16 of 23 attempts, including air balls in Game 3. These struggles have led Thibodeau to quickly substitute him out, even though Robinson boasts a team-high +29 plus/minus for the series, significantly ahead of other rotation players.
The Knicks also understand their prospects diminish considerably when Boston shoots near 50% from three-point range, as they did in Game 3 after hitting only 25% in the first two games.
However, the Knicks have forced the highest opponent turnover rate in clutch time this postseason. Combined with another potential cold shooting night from Boston, this creates opportunities for New York, a team with a more diverse shot selection and one of the league`s top three-point shooting percentages for the season.
Amid comparisons between this season`s Knicks and previous squads, the focus on mental toughness might be overlooked. While perhaps not as defensively consistent or physically imposing as the past two teams, which echoed the 1990s Knicks (Julius Randle, a key physical presence last year, is now having a career playoff run with Minnesota), this iteration possesses a different kind of resilience.
However, the team`s self-belief, particularly in their ability to win, seems arguably greater than in previous seasons. Brunson`s late-game confidence, evident in his NBA-leading 52 clutch baskets despite missing time, is likely the primary factor. His teammates now seem fully convinced that his crucial shots will go in.
“High-pressure moments don`t affect him. You can`t tell if he`s having an off night or a great one,” Bridges commented on Brunson the night he hit the series-winning three against the Pistons. “As soon as he created space, I knew the game was over.”
The Knicks` clear confidence in Brunson and the rest of the team, who remain composed under pressure, has been evident. However, the critical question for the series is whether New York has the stamina and capability to keep games close enough against the defending champions to once again activate their clutch advantage.
After all, they believe they are built for these moments.