The New York Knicks' 2025 Eastern Conference Finals appearance marked their first conference finals appearance since 1999-2000, when they lost to the Pacers in six games.
The Knicks fell behind by 13 points at halftime of Sunday night's Game 3 in Indiana, falling behind by as many as 20 points during the game before rallying to win 106-100 behind 20 fourth quarter points from Karl Anthony-Towns.
The game was also noteworthy because of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau's short rotations, which drew the ire of New York fans and NBA analysts.
Thibodeau's rotations led a former Knicks star to share his thoughts on who could possibly replace Thibodeau as the game reached its inevitable conclusion, comments that he would later walk back on social media.
Jalen Brunson dribbles against Ben Sheppard.
Jalen Brunson dribbles downcourt against Ben Sheppard of the Pacers on May 25 in Indianapolis.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
"Mike Malone," former Knicks forward Wilson Chandler wrote on his X account in a post that was viewed over 300,000 times as of Monday afternoon, sharing the name of the former Denver Nuggets coach.
Chandler later walked back his comment, describing it as a joke as he shared his confidence in a New York win.
"All jokes aside. Knicks winning this game," Chandler, who averaged over 16 points per game with the 2010-11 Knicks, said.
Thibodeau was criticized for playing a short rotation of less than 10 players by Inside the NBA analysts Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley during Sunday night's game.
The Knicks' bench gave Thibodeau's team the spark it needed as they overcame the Pacers with a winning 36-point fourth quarter.
"Speak it into existence!!!" one fan said of Chandler's successful prediction.