Pain. That’s all there is to say about Thursday’s 113-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
New York arrived in Hollywood aiming at winning the first of their back-to-back games in LA, but the Knicks hobbled back to their hotel rooms with a loss added to their L column and Captain Brunson injured. Seriously.
Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers and Lakertonians had to say before and after yesterday’s affair.
Tom Thibodeau
On the Knicks’ performance:
“I thought it was a hard-fought game. It came down to down the stretch. A lot of tough plays. We couldn’t get to a loose ball. Things like that. Oftentimes that’s the difference.
“The first 3 ½ quarters were very, very good. Obviously we got to close out better.”
On Brunson playing through injury:
“His mental toughness is through the roof. It doesn’t surprise me.
“The way he played the whole game, they were loaded up pretty good on him. And he just kept battling and battling.”
Josh Hart
On Jalen Brunson’s injury:
“Obviously it’s a bummer of an injury. We’ve got to expect him to be out for a little bit.
“We’ve got guys. Now we have to step up. Other guys’ roles are going to be bigger. There’s more opportunity.
“Keep it afloat until he comes back, be aggressive, go out there and compete.”
On adjusting without Brunson:
“It’s for sure going to be an adjustment [without Brunson]. The last minute and a half we were a little stagnant, that was tough. Got to get some new plays, get other guys involved.
“You never want anyone to get hurt, but now this is an opportunity for other guys’ names to be called. We have confidence in everybody here. We’ve got to go out and be aggressive, everyone step it up and compete.”
JJ Redick (Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach)
On the Lakers’ supporting cast stepping up:
“A night like tonight, when it felt like a lot of things didn’t go our way and it wasn’t easy, it often can come from your non-stars.”
On the Lakers’ resilience in their comeback victory:
“Our guys stayed the course and refused to give in and let go of the rope.”
Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers Player)
On Gabe Vincent’s impact:
“Gabe won us the game with those three 3s in the fourth quarter. That was huge for us.”
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers Player)
On the Lakers’ depth:
“There’s no such thing as non-key players on this team. Everybody is key. And everybody who steps on the floor has a role and they go in and match that.
“I thought our bench gave us a great lift once again and Gabe was—I’ll single him out—he was spectacular. His play both on the defensive end and obviously his shooting, we needed it.”
Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers Player)
On the Lakers’ ability to win tough games as Thursday’s battle:
“We probably shouldn’t have won that game. It’s special to not play the way you want to and still come out and win.”