DETROIT — The Knicks are moving past Tom Thibodeau’s timeout blunder at the end of Game 5 — but in the moment, Josh Hart admitted it wasn’t easy watching from the sideline.
“Whenever you’re not out there, it’s frustrating because you want to be out there and compete,” Hart said after morning shootaround at Little Caesars Arena ahead of Thursday’s Game 6. “If I wanted to be out there, I shouldn’t have fell so hard and got hurt.”
Hart (wrist) and Jalen Brunson (ankle) both suffered injuries that took them off the court at the 2:57 mark of the fourth quarter. By the time they were ready to check back in with 1:57 remaining, the Knicks were down six, had just one timeout left, and were in the penalty — meaning an intentional foul would have sent Detroit to the line with a chance to extend the lead to eight.
Thibodeau opted not to burn his last timeout. The players on the floor didn’t foul. And Brunson and Hart stood at the scorer’s table for nearly two full minutes until Thibodeau called timeout with 27.4 seconds to go.
“I got faith in my guys,” Hart said. “Cam [Payne] had a wide-open floater that he makes 9 times out of 10, and we got stops. We just had a couple good looks that didn’t go down. Some of those shots could have been the same shots we got if we were in. It’s basketball. There’s always good and bad breaks, but I’ve got faith in those guys to go out there, give energy and give us what we need.”
Thibodeau took heat for what he later called a “coach’s decision.” Hart said that criticism is nothing new.
“He’s used to it. Bullseye on his back for that. He’s had a bullseye on his back the whole season for minutes, rotations, all kinds of stuff. That’s our coach. We’re gonna back him 100%.”
“Everyone is on this team because we have faith and trust in them, and I think that’s a byproduct of that. We got stops. We got good looks. What more do you want besides getting stops and getting good looks for good players? I don’t know.”
May 1, 2025: You had one job!
New York Daily News Back page for May 1, 2025: When Knicks needed Thibodeau to make big decision late in Game 5, coach did nothing and it coast his team shot at wrapping up series. With Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart at scorer’s table as clock ticked down in Game 5 against Pistons, Tom Thibodeau could have fouled or called timeout to get them in game. Instead, he did nothing, and Knicks lost.
CELTICS GETTING SOME REST
The Knicks-Pistons series is the last Eastern Conference matchup still running. Boston dispatched Orlando in five games, giving the Celtics ample rest while New York continues to battle through a grueling opening round.
Should the Knicks advance to the second round, they will need to get through the reigning champs on rested legs. Are the days off an advantage for the Celtics or will the Knicks be sharper with more reps?
“We don’t really think about it. That’s that ongoing debate where there’s never really much proof,” Hart said. “We can sit there and say, ‘Oh we played six-seven games. We’re in a good flow.’ If they’re off for a week, they’re not in rhythm. It doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, we’ve gotta take care of what we’ve gotta take care of.”
“And I give those teams credit. They played a tough series and were able to come out in four or five games. But I don’t think any of us thought this [Pistons] series was gonna be a cakewalk. This is a heck of a team with a really good coach and staff. We respect them.”
INJURY TALK
Brunson and Hart are both brushing off injury concerns.
“I’ve been fine,” Brunson said. “I got back in the game. Not on the injury report. I’m all good.”
Hart said “prayer and faith” gets him through. Asked how he’s feeling for Game 6?
“Exquisite,” he replied.
TRUST IN MITCH
Detroit employed a Hack-a-Mitch strategy in Game 5, intentionally sending Mitchell Robinson to the line.
Robinson, coming off his strongest game of the series, shot 3-of-7 on free throws. Hart said Robinson doesn’t need a pep talk.
“No. Mitch a grown man. Mitch knows how important he is to this team,” he said. “I’m not sure what the numbers are, but [from] my perception, he’s been shooting free throws very well.”
“So if they’re gonna do that, let them. We’re gonna get stops, and he’s so important to us defensively. Even if he makes one out of two, if we get five stops and he makes five free throws, we’re plus-five. It’s a chess game. I’ve got trust in my guys.”
