The New York Knicks secured an unlikely 106-100 victory against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3, as they trailed by 20 points in the first half.
The Knicks didn't just mount a comeback, they did so with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson both struggling with fouls.
Beyond the Game 3 result, the Knicks initially found themselves in a 2-0 hole despite playing both games in Madison Square Garden.
After going down by 20 points in the first half, fans were quite upset -- as it seemed the Knicks could very well end up down 0-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It wasn't just fans, though, as former long-time NBA player Wilson Chandler -- who spent time with both the Denver Nuggets and Knicks -- seemingly called for New York to make a head coaching move.
"Mike Malone," Chandler shared on X, bluntly.
With no provided context, it seems Chandler was suggesting the Knicks should hire Michael Malone -- who the Nuggets fired late in the regular season -- to replace Tom Thibodeau this offseason.
Fans weren't all that upset with the idea at the time, either.
"Yup. I think they make it happen," one fan wrote.
"Yes that’s who I wanted for the Knicks," one fan added.
"My thoughts exactly- perfect fit," another fan wrote.
Jalen Brunson
Feb 28, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts with guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Malone won an NBA championship in 2023 with the Nuggets. He's on the open market as a coach after being fired, and assuming an already-solid Knicks squad would certainly be entertaining.
With New York taking a win, fans might pump the brakes on those conversations at this point in time, though they could very well be revisited.
Not every fan in the replies to Chandler's post agreed, though. Some offered different head coaching ideas -- agreeing that Thibodeau should be fired. Others suggested that coaching wasn't the problem during the deficit.
Still, the Knicks secured a win, so any chatter about Thibodeau should hold off until the series shakes out.
A gentleman's sweep? Sure, throw all the coaching suggestions out there. A long series or an NBA Finals appearance for the Knicks? It might not be time to suggest a change.
For now, the series is alive as the Knicks trail just 2-1 with a chance to even things up on Tuesday.