The Knicks are staying targeted on the duty at hand, refusing to feed into Trae Younger’s theatrics — antics which have made him a polarizing determine at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Younger’s most up-to-date show got here when he rolled imaginary cube on the center-court brand after his Atlanta Hawks eradicated the Knicks from the NBA Cup quarterfinal in emphatic trend.
“It’s sort of like the nature of the league, and it’s always that way. He’s a good player, and so I think he’s authentic,” head coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “We respect him, but we got to play. We’re not gonna get wrapped up in all the other stuff. That’s part of the game today, social media and all that stuff. Just focus on what we need to do to win.”
For the Knicks, that focus lies squarely on fixing the Hawks’ protection, which has been a nightmare of their two conferences this season.
Each losses adopted the same script, with All-NBA Defensive First Workforce candidate Dyson Daniels wreaking havoc on the level of assault.
At 6-foot-7, Daniels makes use of his size and physicality to relentlessly stress Jalen Brunson, typically selecting him up full court docket.
The outcomes have been telling: Brunson has shot simply 13-of-33 from the sphere, totaling 35 factors throughout the 2 defeats.
“We’ve gotta execute our game plan, but we’ve gotta be ready to adjust when things aren’t going our way,” Brunson mentioned on Sunday. “Every game is gonna be a roller coaster, so you’re gonna have a lead, you’re gonna be down, you never know what’s gonna happen. As a team, we’ve gotta stay composed, keep our foot on the gas, and figure out how to win.”
Mikal Bridges emphasised the significance of communication and “playing hard” in countering Atlanta’s physicality.
The Hawks additionally leverage their dimension benefit on the wings and a potent heart rotation that includes Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. The Knicks, in distinction, could possibly be shorthanded once more, with Karl-Anthony Cities questionable for the matchup because of a thumb sprain.
Including to New York’s problem is the return of Hawks breakout star Jalen Johnson, who logged 14 factors and 13 rebounds in Atlanta’s additional time win towards the Boston Celtics on Saturday.
“They’re physical. They’re long, athletic. They can shoot, they can put it on the floor,” Thibodeau mentioned. “They’re good rebounders, they’re big, and we’re gonna have to play tough and smart for 48 minutes.”
Regardless of the sport’s tactical focus, Younger’s aptitude for showmanship stays an unavoidable subplot.
His villainous relationship with Knicks followers dates again to Atlanta’s playoff victory over New York in 2021, a rivalry he has embraced with gestures like shimmies and dramatic bows.
“I think if that’s what he wants to do, it’s good for him. If he embraces it, great for him,” Brunson mentioned. “I have a lot of respect for him as a player, and I think that dates before I even got here. It’s another challenge for us, and we’ve just gotta be ready.”
If the Knicks need to stop one other spectacle from Younger, it’s going to require containing him whereas cracking Atlanta’s stingy protection. Brunson, nevertheless, insists the workforce’s motivation doesn’t hinge on theatrics.
“[Is there] a little more to this game tomorrow? No. We have to approach every game the same way,” Brunson mentioned. “Our motivation is to win every game we go out there and play. That’s all the motivation we need.”
Bridges added that Younger’s antics are a byproduct of the Knicks’ lapses.
“We thought we weren’t playing the right way on both ends and that’s what made him [roll the dice],” he mentioned. “If we played better on both ends, he wouldn’t have been [able to do that].”
Initially Printed: January 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM EST
