Knicks Notes: Sochan, Brown, Anunoby, Robinson
Jeremy Sochan hasn’t played much since signing with the Knicks, but his inside knowledge of the Spurs should be valuable heading into the NBA Finals, Jared Schwartz of The New York Post writes in a subscriber-only piece. Sochan was drafted by San Antonio in 2022 and remained with the team until he was waived in mid-February. New York scooped him up two days later and is now in position to take advantage of his familiarity with Victor Wembanyama and the rest of his former teammates.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, and he works on it all the time, but he gets tired,” Sochan said of Wembanyama. “It’s natural, being that tall, he gets tired. With the team we have, I think it’s important to give him different looks and, not beat him up, but be very physical with him and make him run. And he’s gonna get tired and he’s gonna have to take some plays off, in my opinion.”
Sochan was a lottery pick coming out of college and was a starter for most of his first three years in the league, but he fell out of the Spurs’ rotation this season and eventually became expendable. He saw limited action in 16 games with the Knicks during the regular season and has made five brief appearances in the playoffs. His main role in the Finals figures to be as an advisor.
“Whether I’m playing or not, it’s important to feed all the information I have,” Sochan said. “And I think I know quite a lot. I’m watching their games now, I’m seeing the old plays we [ran], when they go up to certain people and at what times, it’s pretty obvious to see. It’s gonna be interesting.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Coach Mike Brown also has ties to San Antonio, having worked three years as an assistant to Gregg Popovich early in his career, notes Howie Kusoy of The New York Post. That connection hasn’t done anything to dull Brown’s competitiveness heading into the series. “They definitely want to beat me and I want to kick their ass,” Brown said. “You love ’em and you can always love ’em before and after … I got ties to San Antonio and you appreciate the people, you appreciate the journey and all that other stuff. But at the end of the day, just like they want to beat you, you definitely want to beat them.”
- OG Anunoby may be the Knicks’ best option to slow down Wembanyama, Kusoy adds in a separate story. Anunoby has allowed the fewest points per possession among anyone who has been the primary defender on the Spurs’ big man for at least 100 possessions, Kusoy states. “OG is an extremely versatile guard, and you know, the luxury of having a guy like that is he’s long enough, athletic enough, strong enough to guard quick, smaller guys, he’s obviously got the size and athleticism to guard big wings, and then he’s got the strength and the length and the intelligence to guard bigger guys,” Brown said. “So having a guy like that gives us a ton of versatility to be able to move him around, knowing that he can adapt, slash, adjust, or whatever you want to call it, on the fly.”
- Mitchell Robinson, whose status for Game 1 remains uncertain as he deals with a broken pinky finger, posted a message for his fans Saturday on Instagram, relays Zach Braziller of The New York Post. “I can’t thank you guys enough for the love and support most of you bring especially at a time like this in my life,” Robinson wrote. “It makes everything in fighting for 100x easier to deal with.”
Knicks Notes: Brunson, Robinson, Rose, Sacrifice
Jalen Brunson accomplished something no other Knick has since the turn of the millennium, leading New York to the NBA Finals for a shot at bringing home the team’s first championship since 1973. For the people who have watched him the most, this success is only natural, given the makeup of who he is as a player.
“He has an iron will. He’s not tall, he’s not fast, he’s not overly athletic. But he’s one of the mentally strongest players I’ve ever been around,” said longtime Knicks and ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen in an interview with Steve Serby of the New York Post. “They talk about Michael Jordan, they talk about Kobe Bryant … in terms of mental toughness, I’d put him up there with anybody.”
Breen, who has worked alongside Knicks legend Walt Frazier for years, says that regardless of whether or not the Knicks beat the Spurs, Brunson has put himself in the conversation for the greatest Knick of all time, despite only being with the team for four seasons.
Brunson is also making a special kind of history, as his appearance in the NBA Finals will mark the first time that a father-son duo both played in the Finals for the same team, the NBA announced (via Twitter). Brunson’s father – and Knicks assistant coach – Rick Brunson played for New York in the team’s 1999 Finals matchup against, coincidentally, the Spurs. The elder Brunson played just 10 seconds in the series as a bench depth piece, while the younger Brunson’s responsibilities will be considerably greater.
We have more news and notes from the Knicks:
- According to head coach Mike Brown, Mitchell Robinson did some individual work during the Knicks’ practice on Sunday, per Stefan Bondy of the Post (Twitter link). Brown said he wasn’t sure exactly what Robinson is wearing to protect his pinky finger, which recently underwent surgery, nor could he provide an availability update on the big man for Game 1. The Knicks’ backup center figures to play a crucial role in the series, if healthy, as his size, defensive ability, and offensive rebounding could be a critical part of New York’s plan to deal with Victor Wembanyama.
- When Leon Rose took over the Knicks’ front office, the club was in the midst of what would end up being a 21-45 season, cut short by COVID. The first decision he made was to hire Tom Thibodeau to lead the team into what he hoped would be a resurgence of competitiveness. That was move one of 160 that brought the team from perpetual bottom-feeder to Eastern Conference champions, Mike Vaccaro writes for the Post. While there were a couple of missteps, such as the summer of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, Rose was able to quickly fix his own mistakes as easily as he moved on from those of his predecessors.
- If there’s one word that describes the makeup of this Knicks team, it’s sacrifice — so much so that the door of the team locker room has a “Standard of a Champion” contract signed by every player and coach, Jared Schwartz writes for the Post. “My willingness to sacrifice at the highest level for the team, on and off the floor will represent my dedication to our collective objective,” the first clause in the contract reads. The players have taken that philosophy to heart, whether it’s Karl-Anthony Towns sacrificing shots in order to help facilitate the team offense, Jordan Clarkson shifting from the run-and-gun style he played in Utah to hustling for offensive rebounds and intensifying his defensive intensity, or Robinson being willing to play a lesser role than he did a few years ago. “Being unselfish, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Josh Hart said. “And where we’re at right now, everyone is unselfish. We’re willing to sacrifice numbers and stats for the betterment of the team. And I think when we do that, we’re playing our best basketball.”
Knicks Notes: Robinson, Anunoby, Shamet, Long Layoff
Mitchell Robinson‘s broken pinky finger came at a bad time, but the Knicks won’t use his injury as an excuse if they lose in the NBA Finals, writes Ian O’Connor of The Athletic. Robinson underwent surgery and hopes to be able to play with a brace on his finger when the series begins Wednesday night.
In a discussion with reporters on Friday, coach Mike Brown refused to speculate on Robinson’s availability, saying “it varies” from one player to another when asked how long it takes to recover from a fractured finger. Brown added that he learned years ago that it’s crucial for the head coach to remain calm no matter what affects the team.
“I feel like I’m pretty good at that,” he said. “We all have had curveballs come at you that are bigger than (Robinson’s injury) in life, and trying to even do it when you have those curveballs helps you prepare for something that is really a kid’s game. So that’s what I try to do, no matter what it is.”
League sources tell Stefan Bondy of The New York Post that Robinson’s injury is a fracture of the fifth metacarpal, which connects the wrist to the pinky finger. Robinson wasn’t a participant in Friday’s practice and it’s not clear if he’s expected to take part in Sunday’s session.
“For me, I’m always going with whoever is available today,” Brown added. “And [Robinson] didn’t practice today. So we’re getting whoever we need ready to go. … I don’t want to know, just let me know if he can play and when he can play. Just like we normally would, we’re getting everyone else ready to go.”
There’s more from New York:
- OG Anunoby won a ring with Toronto in 2019, but he didn’t get to fully enjoy the experience because an emergency appendectomy forced him to miss the entire playoffs, notes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. There were concerns that he might be sidelined for a long time this year after aggravating a hamstring injury in Game 2 against Philadelphia, but he returned to have a huge impact in the conference finals. “He’s locked in and doing all of things we know he’s capable of,” Jalen Brunson said. “He’s doing what he does. He’s playing great.”
- Landry Shamet overcame a lot of adversity before earning a spot as an important part of Knicks’ second unit, Peter Sblendorio of The New York Daily News notes in a subscriber-only story. After joining the team on an Exhibit 9 contract in September of 2024, Shamet suffered a dislocated shoulder during preseason and wound up being waived. He was re-signed in December, but former coach Tom Thibodeau barely used him in the playoffs. Shamet had to earn his way onto the roster again last fall, beating out several players for the last spot. His role has been more consistent under Brown, and now he’s preparing for his first trip to the NBA Finals. “It means everything to be going to the Finals, and we’ve got a lot more to do,” Shamet said. “Really proud of this group and happy to be a part of this group, and we all know what it’s going to require from us moving forward. That’s all I’m thinking about.”
- The Knicks will have been through their second nine-day break by the time the Finals opener tips off, and they’re vowing that it won’t affect their level of play, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post. The long break seemed to bother the team heading into the conference finals as it fell into a 22-point hole against Cleveland before rallying to win Game 1. “Obviously, rust will be a thing, just having not shot in an NBA game in a while. But we’ll do a better job this time around of preparing for that kind of situation to happen,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “Obviously, the coaching staff did an amazing job getting us ready for Game 1, but we just didn’t go out there and shoot well.”
Atlantic Notes: Giannis, Celtics, Edwards, Wagler, Nets
While multiple reports have linked the Celtics to Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two clubs have not yet had direct trade talks regarding the two-time MVP, a league source tells Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com (Twitter link).
Bulpett acknowledges the situation is “fluid,” and suggests if Antetokounmpo does get traded from Milwaukee, it’s considered “increasingly likely” to be a multi-team deal.
The Celtics reportedly expressed a level of interest in Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline, though it’s unclear how serious those conversations were.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Jay King of The Athletic answers several Celtics-related questions in a mailbag, discussing possible free agent targets at center or big men they might consider acquiring using their $27.7MM traded player exception. King likes the idea of pursuing either Mitchell Robinson or Robert Williams using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception rather than using the TPE on a center already under contract for multiple seasons. As King notes, Robinson seems likely to command a long-term agreement, while ex-Celtic Williams would presumably be a little cheaper and perhaps more amenable to a short-term deal.
- While Justin Edwards showed some promising flashes in his second season, the Sixers wing failed to establish himself as a rotation fixture going forward, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. Aaronson reviews Edwards’ 2025/26 season, writing that head coach Nick Nurse is a strong supporter of the 22-year-old despite his playing time dropping considerably in year two. Becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, pulling down more defensive rebounds, and improving on defense should be goals for Edwards this offseason, Aaronson adds.
- How would Keaton Wagler fit with the Nets if they select him sixth overall in next month’s draft? Brian Lewis of The New York Post explores that question in a subscriber-only story, noting that Wagler has been widely projected to be drafted by the Clippers at No. 5 due to his positional size as a 6’6″ guard. The 19-year-old was a relatively unheralded recruit, ranking outside the top 150 entering college, but quickly rose up draft boards in 2025/26 after an excellent freshman season at Illinois, Lewis writes. Wagler is lauded for his quick decision-making, versatility and ability to change speeds, but he’s not the most explosive athlete and didn’t record a single dunk last season, a rarity for a draft prospect at his size, Lewis adds. “I mean, I’ve heard it my whole life, that I’m not the most athletic, not the fastest,” Wagler said. “I think all last year I showed that you don’t have to be the most athletic to score the ball or be a really good player. And that’s kind of what I did. I just find different ways to use my body, even though I’m not the strongest, but being the aggressor, using my pace [of play] and then getting into the lane.”
Knicks Notes: Finals Mandate, Robinson, Brunson, Rose
Even before Knicks owner James Dolan spoke in January about his team “absolutely” needing to make the NBA Finals, coming out of the East had been the goal – and the expectation – for Knicks players and coaches, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
“We all had that aspiration regardless, so we didn’t really need to hear that because we all wanted that moment, we all wanted to see that, especially after last year being in the Eastern Conference finals and coming up short,” Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We understand that we’ve gotta take that next step. So what he’s talking about is also how we all felt.”
Dolan’s Finals-or-bust mandate raised some eyebrows at the time. At that point in the season, the Knicks were in the midst of a four-game losing streak and a stretch of nine losses in 11 games, which allowed the Celtics to pass them for good in the Eastern Conference standings. But according to Josh Hart, the team didn’t feel any additional pressure as a result of Dolan’s remarks.
“Not pressure, because I think that’s the goal that we all kind of have,” Hart said. “Obviously, it hits a little bit different when the big dog says it. But that’s the goal that each and every one of us has. And we’re our own biggest critics, so this kind of adds a little bit more fuel to that internal fire of the hunger to get there.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- Mitchell Robinson‘s broken pinky finger didn’t occur during a game or practice, according to head coach Mike Brown (Twitter link via Fred Katz of The Athletic). When Brown was asked a follow-up question about how Robinson injured the finger, a Knicks media relations staffer stepped in and said, “We’re not going to get into specifics.” As we relayed earlier today, Robinson is undergoing surgery to repair the fracture and is aiming to suit up in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. According to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes (Twitter link), no player since 2005 has missed fewer than 14 days due to a pinky fracture that required surgery, so Robinson will be looking to beat that timeline by a considerable margin.
- With New York just four games away from a championship, current Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon was asked about her December 2023 assertion on ESPN that the Knicks wouldn’t be able to win a title while being led by a small guard like Jalen Brunson. “I don’t know why everybody’s so stuck on that,” Hammon said this week, per Devon Henderson of The Athletic. “I said it two years ago. I stand by it. There’s no air to be cleared. I said what I said. He proves me wrong, he proves me wrong. Good for him. But I do think the two best teams are in the West.
- The Knicks’ run to the NBA Finals is a testament to Leon Rose‘s decision-making and roster-building, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who suggests certain moves the president of basketball operations didn’t make – such as trading for Donovan Mitchell – were as important as the ones he did make.
- Who will the Knicks be rooting for in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday? James L. Edwards III of The Athletic considers whether New York would match up better with the Thunder or Spurs, ultimately concluding that San Antonio would be the more favorable opponent.
Mitchell Robinson Undergoes Finger Surgery, Aims To Play In Game 1
May 29: Robinson has undergone surgery to repair the break in his pinky finger, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). According to Charania, the veteran center “fully plans” to play in Game 1 of the Finals next week. The expectation is that he’ll wear a brace on his right hand to protect the finger.
May 28: Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger earlier this week, according to James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz of The Athletic, who report that there’s no timetable for the Knicks center’s return.
It’s unclear how Robinson broke his pinky, per The Athletic.
The injury news has been confirmed by several other outlets, including ESPN (Twitter link).
While the unknown timeline may seem a little ominous, that doesn’t necessarily mean Robinson will miss any of the NBA Finals, with New York set to face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio on Wednesday for Game 1. It simply means his availability is currently unclear.
Still, Robinson’s absence would certainly be felt if he’s unable to suit up. He’s physically imposing, a fantastic rebounder, and a strong, versatile defender.
Robinson, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his eight years in the league, made 60 regular season appearances in 2025/26, his most since ’21/22. The 7’0″ big man averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals in 19.6 minutes per night, leading the league in offensive rebounding percentage and ranking in fourth in offensive rebounds per game (4.2), note Edwards and Katz.
Robinson has been a key part of New York’s identity throughout the season and has appeared in 13 of the Knicks’ 14 playoff games, but his playing time (14.2 MPG) has been cut back due to opponents intentionally fouling him; he has converted just 30.2% of his 3.3 free throw attempts per game in the postseason. He’s averaging 5.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG so far in the playoffs.
The 36th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Robinson has spent all eight of his NBA seasons with the Knicks, the team that drafted him. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign a veteran extension before then.
Second-year center Ariel Hukporti and fourth-year forward Jeremy Sochan are among the candidates for more playing time if Robinson is sidelined during the finals.
Free Agent Rumors: Duren, Kessler, Reaves, Dosunmu, More
Jalen Duren of the Pistons and Walker Kessler of the Jazz will be two of the top centers on the free agent market this offseason, but both will be restricted and the expectation is that they’ll remain with their current clubs, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
Duren looked headed for a potential maximum-salary contract after a regular season breakout that saw him earn a spot on the All-NBA third team and rank second in Most Improved Player voting. An underwhelming postseason showing may have hurt his earning potential a little, according to Bontemps, but scouts and executives consider him likely to get a new deal that approaches $40MM per year.
“If he wants to get a max, they’ll tell him to go get one,” one Eastern Conference executive told Bontemps. “But he’s Cade (Cunningham)‘s guy, so they’ll have to play it the right way.”
Meanwhile, the Jazz added Jaren Jackson Jr. to their frontcourt during the season, but neither he nor Lauri Markkanen is expected to play the majority of his minutes at center, so Kessler remains an important part of the future in Utah. The belief around the league is that he’ll be able to negotiate a contract worth in the neighborhood of $25-30MM annually, Bontemps says.
“It appears Utah is gearing up to keep him,” an East scout told ESPN. “I don’t see an obvious fit in free agency for someone to try to get him. They’re going to be in an interesting spot next season, and I’m excited to see how they navigate all of it.”
Here are a few more notes and rumors on some of this summer’s top free agents:
- Scouts and executives who spoke to ESPN don’t expect Austin Reaves to get his full max (roughly $239MM over five years) from the Lakers, but they wouldn’t be surprised if he receives $40MM per year. “I’d be pretty surprised if the first year (salary) starts with a three instead of a four,” an Eastern Conference scout said, “but the Lakers need to keep him, and by all accounts he wants to be there, so I think they make it work.” The Nets, one of the few teams with the cap room necessary to make a run at a player like Reaves, is considered a rival suitor to monitor, sources tell Bontemps.
- Sources around the NBA believe guard Ayo Dosunmu will re-sign with the Timberwolves on a deal worth a little more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15MM), though that may require the team to part with injured guard Donte DiVincenzo to avoid going too deep into tax/apron territory, Bontemps notes.
- Rival scouts and executives would be surprised if the Knicks let unrestricted free agents Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet get away, especially if they win a title. “You have to bring (Robinson) back,” an East executive said. “If they win the Finals, they’re not losing anybody. And, even if they don’t, I don’t see how they let him walk.” Both players are candidates for two-year deals, since New York projects to operate above the second tax apron for the next couple years anyway, Bontemps observes.
- Trail Blazers center Robert Williams is expected to generate significant interest after his healthiest season in years, given how much teams are valuing size, Bontemps writes, adding that the range for his starting salary may be in the vicinity of $10-15MM. “The injury history will scare a lot of teams off,” a Western Conference executive said. “But when he plays, he’s good. You just can’t expect him to start for you because he won’t be on the court if you play him that many minutes. He’ll be good value if — a huge if — he can stay on the floor.”
- While Peyton Watson‘s recurring hamstring issues this past season are a concern, the expectation is that the Nuggets will find a way to give him a new contract in the $20-25MM range in restricted free agency, per Bontemps. “They could easily just pay him and pay the tax, but we know how the Kroenkes operate,” a West scout said. “That means sending out either (Cameron) Johnson or (Christian) Braun, and I don’t know where that lands. The injury stuff is a concern, but so is how they struggled without him.”
Knicks Notes: Robinson, Towns, Bridges, Pre-Draft Workout
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson announced Saturday that he’ll be staying away from social media due to concerns about his mental health, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Robinson informed his followers on Snapchat a few hours before the start of Game 3.
“I’m deleting all apps for a little while until I can get back to myself,” he wrote. “I had a very upsetting experience a few days ago. I’m not gonna go into detail about it, just gonna focus on the playoffs and myself. I know some of you have called and texted and it popped up green. That’s because I got a new [phone] number. My mental health is not the best right now but I am fighting to get back on track while playing on the biggest stage in the world in the Eastern Conference finals.”
Schwartz states that Robinson went public regarding his mental health issues after being ejected from Game 6 of the first-round series against Atlanta for fighting with Dyson Daniels. Robinson posted on Facebook that he was “just lost in the world at the moment,” and he sent out another Facebook message on Thursday saying he would be deleting all his social media accounts.
“Last post before I delete this app,” Robinson wrote. “I finally have changed my number for many reason [sic]…as I fight through and keep fighting in this playoffs run my focus have to go to another level. This is the start of a new chapter in my life. Love and will miss y’all…. Mitch out.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- LeBron James has been impressed by New York’s recent run of playoff dominance, Schwartz adds in another story. Speaking on his Mind the Game podcast (Twitter link), the Lakers star raved about the Knicks’ newfound versatility on offense. “The defense can’t just key on a couple of actions anymore. I thought over the last couple of years with New York, you kind of got a good rhythm of how they were gonna play. The ball was gonna end up in a certain way every single time,” James said, referring to heavy reliance on Jalen Brunson isolations and pick-and rolls. James explained that running the offense through Karl-Anthony Towns has opened up opportunities for everyone on the court.
- Cleveland has adjusted to limit the effectiveness of Towns’ passing, but the Knicks have found other ways to win and that versatility could lead to a championship, Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News suggests in a subscriber-only story. Brunson carried the scoring load with 38 points in Game 1, and Josh Hart launched a three-point barrage in Game 2. “That’s the blessing of our group,” Towns said after Saturday’s shootaround. “We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. I’ve been happy because we’ve continued to win.”
- Prior to Game 3, coach Mike Brown talked to reporters about Mikal Bridges‘ value, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). “It starts with (owner) Mr. (James) Dolan because he’s willing to spend money,” Brown said. “… From there you talk about (team president) Leon Rose and his group, they identified Mikal as a two-way player and they went and got him.”
- Miami’s Tre Donaldson is the latest draft prospect to work out for the Knicks, Begley adds (Twitter link). The senior guard averaged 16.4 points and 5.7 assists per game for the Hurricanes this season.
Knicks Notes: Hart, Brunson, Bridges, Robinson, Alvarado
Knicks forward Josh Hart was on the bench for much of the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday as the team completed a historic 22-point comeback with Landry Shamet taking his place on the floor. The Knicks were outscored by 23 points when Hart was on the court in Game 1, and he made just 1-of-5 three-point tries.
It initially looked like Thursday might be another rough night for Hart, who missed his first three outside shots in the Game 2 as the Cavaliers‘ defense let him have open looks. But by the end of the night, Hart had emerged as the Knicks’ leading scorer and most effective all-around player, writes Fiifi Frimpong of The New York Daily News (subscription required). He racked up 26 points, seven assists, and a pair of steals while knocking down 5-of-11 total three-pointers in the 109-93 victory.
“Those first three, they felt good,” Hart said after the game. “Kind of frustrated with it. I’ve been putting in the reps with (assistant coaches Kwadzo Ahelegbe) and Peter Patton and I was frustrated at first. I’m just like, ‘It is not translating right now.’ And then I knew I had to just keep shooting and if I did that, I’ll be good.”
Speaking to reporters, head coach Mike Brown said he never considered going away from Hart as he struggled early in Game 2. As James L. Edwards III of The Athletic relays, Brown explained that the versatile forward is “so impactful as a connector” that he can have an impact on winning even when his shot isn’t falling.
“It’s easy for me to say because I have the utmost confidence in the world in him,” Brown said, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required). “He’s a gamer. When you have guys who are gamers, they do stuff that people don’t think they can do. And he knows the work he puts in. We know the work he puts in. His confidence is not going to waver. He’s going to put confidence in himself to take the next one and make the next one.”
Here’s more on the Knicks, who will head to Cleveland with a 2-0 lead in the Eastern finals:
- After playing hero in Game 1 by scoring 16 fourth-quarter points, Jalen Brunson had the ball forced out of hands on Thursday by the Cavaliers, who were determined not to let the star point guard beat them in Game 2, notes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Brunson had no problem adjusting, setting a new career playoff high by handing out 14 assists. “It just shows that he plays the right way,” teammate Mikal Bridges said. “If you’re not going to send a double-team, I think it’s an advantage for him. If you send a double-team, he’s going to read and react and find the open guy. Ever since I’ve known him, he plays the right way. Kudos to him, how he works, and his understanding of the game. If you’re going to come (double-team him), he’s going to make you pay and that’s what makes him great.”
- Speaking of Bridges, he continues to be everything the Knicks hoped for when they gave up five first-round picks to acquire him and signed him to a $150MM extension, says Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. Bridges has been the Knicks’ primary defender on James Harden and has scored 37 points on 16-of-23 shooting (69.6%) through the first two games of the series. “He’s an amazing player,” Knicks forward OG Anunoby said. “He’s been his whole career. I’m not surprised at all. This is Mikal. He’s a great player.”
- While it hasn’t prevented the Knicks from building a 2-0 lead in the series, Mitchell Robinson‘s poor free throw shooting remains a concern for the team, as Jared Schwartz of The New York Post observes. After making 2-of-8 shots from the line in Game 1, Robinson missed all four of his attempts in Game 2, resulting in Brown playing him just three minutes in the second half.
- Trade deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado has averaged just 7.5 minutes per night through the first two games vs. Cleveland, but he’s having a real impact on the team even when he’s not on the court, according to the Knicks’ head coach. “We actually pointed it out to our group in practice,” Brown said on Thursday, per Schwartz. “You watch the film, he’s uplifting the entire team when he’s on the bench. He’s always talking in a positive way. He’s showing our young guys that you can impact the game if you’re present, because Jose’s always present. You’re using your voice and your energy, guys feel that on the floor. Jose’s been phenomenal.”
Knicks Notes: Towns, Anunoby, Shamet, Robinson, Dolan
The Knicks‘ usage of Karl-Anthony Towns as a point center in the seven games leading up to Tuesday’s game vs. Cleveland resulted in a 130.5 offensive rating, but the plan hit a snag in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. The Cavaliers‘ talented frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen did a better job of neutralizing Towns, who scored just 13 points on 14 shots and had five assists, his lowest single-game total since head coach Mike Brown tweaked the Knicks’ offensive game plan.
“We do feel like we have the personnel to bother him. We’ve got multiple guys who can put pressure on him,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’ve gotta be really good with our off-ball defense. They’ve definitely shifted schematically like everybody knows. It’s been … it’s high level so it’s going to be a big part of the series.”
Ultimately though, slowing down Towns wasn’t enough for the Cavaliers to pull off the Game 1 upset and take the lead in the series, as Jalen Brunson led a historic fourth-quarter comeback that resulted in an overtime win. According to the NBA (Twitter link), New York’s 22-point comeback in the fourth quarter was the largest in a conference final game since 1997 and the second-largest in any playoff game during that same span. That outcome left Towns satisfied after the game despite his modest showing.
“I think the Knicks found a way to win tonight, and that’s all that matters,” he said, per Braziller. “It’s not about the individual performances, it’s about this team finding a way to put up a win on the board. I think that’s what’s special.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Knicks forward OG Anunoby acknowledged he had some rust to shake off in his first game back following a hamstring injury, but he finished the game strong, as Howie Kussoy writes for The New York Post. After recording four points and two rebounds in his first 29 minutes of action during regulation, Anunoby helped the Knicks seal the victory with nine points and three boards in overtime. “I felt good,” Anunoby said. “Just continue to play hard, shoot shots and be aggressive. … I don’t think it was hesitancy [early]. Just as the game went on I felt more and more like myself.”
- Even with Anunoby back, Landry Shamet ended up playing a key role for the Knicks, logging 14 of his 17 minutes in the fourth quarter and overtime and making a trio of crucial three-pointers, including one that tied the game during the final minute of regulation, writes Braziller of The New York Post. “He played big time. That’s just who he is. He’s a true professional, ever since he walked into the league,” Brunson said of the minimum-salary vet. “He’s up to any task you put in front of him. He’s been that player, he’s been that player for us. We have utmost faith in him.”
- Knicks center Mitchell Robinson had some success against Cleveland in the first half of Game 1, but he was played off the floor in the second half when the Cavaliers began intentionally fouling him, notes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Robinson went 2-of-8 from the free throw line and the Knicks were outscored by seven points during his four minutes on the court in the third quarter. “Mitch has been great for us the last few games in that situation,” Brown said. “We’re gonna continue to give him a chance. We’ll move him around and do some different things with him. Mitch can impact the game in different ways, so we need him on the floor.”
- Knicks owner James Dolan and Madison Square Garden Sports have taken the next step toward splitting the Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers into separate entities. Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico has the details.