Knicks Thriving Under Pressure as Playoff Drama Unfolds

AFTER THE FINAL buzzer echoed through Little Caesars Arena, the New York Knicks exuberantly flooded the court to celebrate their thrilling Game 6 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Forward Mikal Bridges, securing his headset for an interview with the iconic Mike Breen, had just delivered a pivotal left-handed putback with 35 seconds remaining, tying the game before star Jalen Brunson nailed a decisive 3-pointer. Bridges, a seasoned veteran in his eighth year, was buzzing with energy when Breen broached the Knicks’ knack for late-game heroics.

“We’re built for this s—, man. That’s all it is. We’re built for it,” Bridges, typically composed, exclaimed before Breen reminded him about the live broadcast. While his choice of words may have been a bit coarse for prime-time TV, Bridges’ sentiment was undeniable.

That night, the Knicks overcame a seven-point gap with just two and a half minutes left on the clock—a heart-pounding conclusion to a series where the last four games were decided by three points or fewer. This dramatic victory paved the way for a highly anticipated conference semifinal against the reigning Boston Celtics, a matchup poised to challenge New York’s flair for clutch performances.

During the regular season, the Celtics overpowered the Knicks by margins of 23, 27, and 13 points in their initial clashes. Yet even when games entered crunch time, no team surpassed the Celtics’ clutch-time win rate.

Nevertheless, the rejuvenated Knicks consistently displayed extraordinary resilience during high-stakes moments, as evident from their previous bout with Detroit and now against Boston. With defensive ace Bridges executing crucial stops and Brunson, the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, at the helm, New York seems equipped to navigate the intense, gritty playoff sequences.

“The trials we’ve faced have been a major boost,” explained backup guard Deuce McBride. “We endure them as a unit, emerging victorious together.”

But how have the Knicks refined their composure amid chaos, and as they head into Monday’s Game 4 in New York (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), can this confidence carry them close enough to triumph once more?

SOME TEAMS shrink under pressure. The Knicks thrive in it.

New York’s consistent excellence in tight playoff games is no accident; the team possesses unique qualities and a shared DNA that make them formidable in these scenarios.

Clutch time, defined by a five-point margin within the final five minutes or overtime, typically features intense possessions and isolation plays, akin to the Knicks’ preferred playing style. Throughout the regular season, New York averaged fewer than 98 possessions per 48 minutes, ranking among the league’s five slowest paces. Crucially, the team naturally places the ball in Brunson’s capable hands during these moments, as evidenced by his NBA-leading 8.6 minutes of ball-handling per game.

Moreover, amid the ongoing debate over the Knicks’ starters’ playtime, Coach Tom Thibodeau’s starting five has logged more minutes together than any other lineup in the league this year. This extensive time on the court has allowed them to seamlessly adapt to various situations—commanding leads, overcoming significant deficits, and handling clutch moments with ease.

Thibodeau’s philosophy emphasizes developing “mental discipline to weather anything an NBA season throws your way.” Throughout the Knicks’ roster, many players epitomize this standard, armed with a set of intangibles to alter the course of any game.

Take Josh Hart, for instance. Standing at just 6-foot-4, Hart is a tenacious presence, leading the league with 88 recovered loose balls during the regular season. His knack for offensive rebounding, taking advantage of defenders who overlook him due to his shooting from deep, grants the Knicks crucial extra possessions.

“People discuss offensive runs frequently, but defensive and rebounding runs are just as critical,” Thibodeau noted. “Josh exemplifies this, grabbing four or five rebounds consecutively, even if his shots aren’t falling.”

The Knicks’ offensive rebounding prowess surged with center Mitchell Robinson’s return. Absent until February 28 due to ankle surgery, Robinson’s comeback has bolstered New York’s rebounding to capture nearly 39% of their missed shots this postseason—a statistic that would lead the league in both regular and postseasons. Prior, the Knicks maintained an average rate of 29.9% without him.

From the play-in tournament to the NBA Finals, ESPN offers comprehensive coverage throughout the playoffs. But the Knicks’ rallying cry sheds light on a daunting reality.

PERHAPS BRUNSON captured the essence following the Knicks’ first series loss, remarking on the challenges of consistently playing catch-up against elite competition. “Against any NBA team, really, comebacks are challenging. They’re a tremendous squad, the defending champs,” he noted. “We can’t afford the luxury of falling behind by 20 points every game. It’s not sustainable for us.”

The Knicks haven’t convincingly beaten Boston sans a nail-biter. In their seven matchups this season, Boston established 20-point advantages in six games. Thus, for the Knicks to turn the tide on a series they once led 2-0, they might need to remain competitive enough to seize two more close encounters.

Obstacles litter this strategic path. Karl-Anthony Towns’ potential hand injury during Game 3, coupled with Boston’s physical response to Robinson—who has missed 16 out of 23 free throws, including air balls in Game 3—pose significant hurdles. These missteps have compelled Thibodeau to reposition Robinson despite his team-best plus-29 point differential, a stark 27 points above any peer.

Compounding this, the Knicks’ prospects wane further when Boston approaches 50% shooting from the 3-point line, as they did in Game 3, a stark contrast to their 25% in prior contests.

However, the Knicks hold the league’s highest opponent turnover rate during clutch times this postseason. Pairing that figure with a cold Boston shooting streak may unlock opportunities for New York, which boasts a balanced offensive profile alongside a top-tier seasonal 3-point proficiency.

Reviewing the evolution from last year’s team to this season’s, one might overlook the heightened mental resolve. This squad may not match the same defensive consistency or toughness, aligning more with the franchise’s gritty 1990s era. (Forward Julius Randle, a cornerstone of last season’s physical identity, is excelling with Minnesota this postseason.)

Yet, their belief in victory—stronger than ever—is palpable. Brunson’s poise in pressure-packed moments, evidenced by his 52 league-leading clutch baskets despite a month-long absence, arguably stands as the key driving force. His teammates exhibit unshakable faith in every crucial shot he attempts.

“Pressure doesn’t sway him. Whether he’s on a scoring spree or enduring a slump, you’d never notice,” Bridges stated confidently after Brunson sealed Detroit’s fate with his series-clinching 3-pointer. “Once he got that break, it was curtains.”

Brunson’s unfaltering calm, mirrored by his teammates’ steadfast belief, underscores the Knicks’ attitude towards late-game drama. As the series’ stakes climb, the Knicks’ challenge remains: do they have the endurance to drag the champions back to clutch scenarios?

Ultimately, their confidence makes them believe they’re ready for it.