As the 2025 NBA Finals rage on, the New York Knicks are forced to sit at home and contemplate what could have been, what currently is, and what is going to be.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart did exactly that in the latest episode of their podcast, “Roommates Show“, talking about their NBA season at length for the first time since it was cut short by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tom Thibodeau’s exodus
There was an obvious, Tom Thibodeau-sized elephant in the room. Just as he did on the day his former coach was let go, Hart spoke up first on the matter.
“We want to give a shoutout to Thibs, man.
Especially from myself, he helped make me into the player I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career, and he kind of gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league. I’m always going to be forever grateful for him.
This is always a tough part of the NBA, because you grow relationships not just on the court, but off the court in personal relationships. So, I always got love for him.”
Brunson, the much longer-acquainted with Thibodeau of the pair, reminisced on days before he even knew where he was going to college, let alone hearing the NBA calling.
“I’ve known him my entire life, but I remember having conversations and moments with him in eighth grade when we moved to Chicago. And just to see where we are now; he helped me become a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he’s down for me, obviously indiviually, I’m so grateful for.
He had a confidence in me that I knew I had, but it’s great to see someone push it, push you to be better… To have Thibs and to do what he did for my career I’m just so grafetul and thankul for. Not enough can be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career.”
Beaten and befuddled
The Knicks’ starting backcourt discussed their loss to the Pacers in the postseason, with emphasis on how the first meeting of the matchup left a lasting impression on the whole series.
“Everybody is clearly beatable… and obviously, yeah, we wanted to beat them. We wish we could have beat them. They had our number, and it really started from Game 1,” Brunson said.
For those who may have already had it wiped clean from the slate of their mind, voluntarily or not, it seemed as though New York had all but wrapped up the first game of the series at home against Indiana before lightning struck in the same spot about a dozen times in a row.
The Knicks held a 14-point lead over the Pacers, 119-105, with just under three minutes to go. Then they folded into a crumpled mess like the first attempt at an origami sculpture.
Scarcely answered Hoosier buckets suddenly led to a two-point game in New York’s favor, 125-123, with just seven seconds left and the ball in Tyrese Haliburton’s hands.
Or maybe it was a higher power. I honestly still don’t know.
The Pacers, of course, would go on to win the game in overtime and eventually the series, advancing to their first NBA Finals in 25 years. Things could have, and as it’s been heavily argued, should have gone differently for the Knicks.
Josh Hart concurred with his co-host while also giving the Pacers their petunias.
“Us giving up Game 1 was a huge uphill battle, but I’ll say: We beat Detroit, tough series. We beat Boston, great opponent, tough series. And everyone thought, ‘Oh, Indiana, there it is’… but Indiana’s been beating the hell out of [teams].
Give them credit, they found a rhythm, they’re hot right now. It’s one of those things where it’s like, ‘We still think we can beat them’, and we probably should have beat them. That’s why you can’t underrate them.”
The Road Ahead
What are the most significant steps the Knicks need to take in order to make yet another leap as a team next season? Brunson responded quickly and clearly.
“Finishing the game.”
And before Hart could even really agree, Brunson reiterated himself, making it all the more obvious what’s been sticking in his craw since Indiana first ignited in the closing minutes of Game 1, at least. Professional athletes, they’re just like us.
“Finishing the game. I feel like if we win Game 1, it changes a lot. But we have to learn how to finish the game… Every game is a must-win. You don’t know what type of rhythym or momentum a team can take into Game 2.
Brunson’s qualms coincide with a recent report from SNY’s Ian Begley, which stated that multiple players in New York were surprised at the Knicks’ lack of work on specific end-game situations during practices — something that most teams consider commonplace.
Whoever is next to don the title of head coach for the New York Knicks better know how to seal the deal, or at the very least, attempt to figure out how to.