Jalen Brunson: “We’re not done yet”

Before playing the last game of the 2022-23 regular season against the Indiana Pacers, Jalen Brunson took the microphone at Madison Square Garden to thank all the fans there for their unconditional support throughout the year.

“We’re not done yet. See you in the playoffs,” Brunson said.

After being defeated 141-136 on Sunday morning, the Knicks will have five days off to prepare for the first game of the playoffs against JB Bickerstaff’s Cavaliers, which will be on Sunday, April 15 starting at 12:00 a.m. Spanish hours.

His record has ended with a positive 47-35, ten wins more than last year, and the second best record for the franchise in its last 22 years after the exceptional 54-28 obtained in the 2012-13 campaign.

“I think from the start of the season to where we are now, our goal has always been to improve day after day,” acknowledged Tom Thibodeau. “When you look at where we were or where we are now there’s been a big jump,” he acknowledged.

The loss against the Pacers means concluding with a 23-18 home record, slightly worse than the one obtained as visitors (24-17). On the other hand, the coach has praised the improvement of the Knicks in the triple and has pointed out that his NET Rating was the seventh best in the league until this past Saturday.

“I think we’re ready for the playoffs,” admitted Obi Toppin, who has gained quite a bit of prominence in Randle’s absence.

Toppin was the best exponent of the Knicks in the last game with 34 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists; seconded by Immanuel Quickley with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, and a Mitchell Robinson who shone under the boards with 9 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 7 blocks.

waiting for randle

In the middle of this week, the Knicks’ medical services will rule on whether Julius Randle will be available to play in the playoffs after spraining his left ankle on March 29. The power forward has practically met the deadlines for his recovery and it will be very important that he can be available from the first stake.

«Just the next step, following the protocols of his recovery. Making good progress. He’s throwing and stuff like that, but he’s not doing contact training. But he’s doing great,” Thibodeau said.

In his fourth year as Knickerbocker He has played 77 of the 82 possible games with figures of 25.1 points, 10 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 35.5 minutes per day. In addition, he has been selected to play his second All-Star, and has obtained 40 double-doubles, tied for 6th in the entire NBA with Anthony Davis and Trae Young.

The signings, key

The Knicks’ season has been greatly enhanced by the addition of three of their new faces: Jalen Brunson from Dallas; Isaiah Hartenstein of the Clippers, and Josh Hart, who arrived from Portland at the winter market trade deadline.

Brunson, a candidate for the MIP, has fully justified Leon Rose’s bet on the market and the Knicks have finally found that much-needed point guard. From minute one he has become the beacon of the team, greatly improving his contribution last year in Dallas.

• Mavericks 2021-22 with 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 31.9 minutes.
• Knicks 2022-23 with 24 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 35 minutes.

As for Hartenstein and Hart, the center has gone from less to more and has been the only player on the squad who has been able to play all 82 games of the course. And with Hart potentially an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Knicks have gone 17-8 since his arrival.

“That is the challenge of every year. When you start a season, you never come back the same, so what you have to do is adapt and get everyone on the same page. It’s been steady progress,” Thibodeau said. «Jalen had no problem. He was a big part of what we needed in terms of team control and management. Bring out the best in each one », he highlighted.

“And if you add to that Isaiah’s assists, his rim protection, and add another Hart guy, who is a very versatile player…”, explained the coach.

• Isaiah Hartenstein: 4.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.8 minutes.
• Josh Hart: 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.2 minutes (24 games played with the Knicks).

«Playing the 82 games of the season tells you a lot. At the end of the course you know exactly where you are. And then you prepare for whatever comes. This is the next step for us,” Thibs concluded.

Arrives Isiah Roby

The Knicks made the signing of Isiah Roby official until the end of this season with the aim of having him among their ranks to play the next Summer Leagues. An important bet of the franchise, since, according to media sources ESPNthey will advance up to $ 400,000 for his signing.

In addition, it should be noted that he is not eligible to play in the playoffs, since last March he was still part of the San Antonio Spurs roster. However, his move is designed for the future, to test him in the preseason and to be able to offer him a place in the squad for the 2023-24 season.

A second round formed at the University of Arkansas and who has dressed the colors of the OKC Thunder and the aforementioned Spurs with NBA career averages of 7.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 151 official games.

(Cover photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)