Manager Charles Barkley sent a warning to the Celtics amid a lackluster performance in a 118-109 loss to the Knicks on Thursday at TD Garden in Boston.
The Basketball Hall of Famer criticized Boston stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for a “half-hearted game” in the first half during the NBA on TNT halftime show, saying the Celtics (62-18) Despite heading into the playoffs starting April 20th with the best record in the league in explaining why games should not be played, they were eliminated early.
“Shaq asked earlier if Tatum and Brown should play. If they’re going to make plays like that, they shouldn’t play,” Barkley told host Ernie Johnson.
Barkley recalled the 1992-93 season, when the Phoenix Suns finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA.
“The year we got to the Finals, we had the best record in the NBA, and then we shut it down in the last two weeks of the season,” Barkley said. “It took us two rounds of the playoffs to get it back.
“We lost the first two games at home to the Lakers. I’ve always said to myself, that had nothing to do with losing to the Bulls in the finals — but I still regret it. ,” Barkley said. “Well, if I’m going to play, I’m going to play until the end of the season.
“But if you’re going to go out there and do something half-assed like they did the other day in Milwaukee; [a 104-91 loss on April 9], when I couldn’t hit a free throw. They finished the game without hitting a single free throw.
“And when they come out tonight, they’re just going through those moves. I know they’re going to finish with the best record, but, you know, turn it off and turn it back on. You can’t do that.”
The Celtics clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 135-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 3, securing home court advantage throughout the postseason and looking ahead to the playoffs. There is.
Manager Barkley wasn’t happy with Boston’s first-half performance, ranting immediately after Tatum failed to guard Knicks guard OG Anunoby, and hit a corner 3 before the halftime buzzer to give New York the lead. Spread it out.
The Celtics’ lack of defensive effort was on full display as the Knicks held a 52-36 lead on the glass.
Tatum and Brown combined for 33 points, Sam Hauser added 15 points and Peyton Pritchard added 16 points off the bench.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzula pulled his starters and started the fourth quarter with reserves.
“We’ve struggled the last two games, but we haven’t played to our standards,” Brown said, referring to the blowout loss to the Bucks and Thursday’s loss. “The game is changing, and it’s going to change even more in the playoffs.”
Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson scored 39 points in the third quarter to help the Knicks jump to the No. 2 seed in the conference, and Anuoby, who was traded to the Knicks in late December, scored 12 points.
On Friday night, the Knicks will play the Nets and the Celtics will play the Hornets at TD Garden in Boston.
