Yes, the Knicks faced injuries. There’s no denying that they were significantly affected.
However, for Jalen Brunson, the pain of last year’s Eastern Conference semi-final losses against the Pacers remains. “I mean, that’s still bothering me,” Brunson admitted recently. “Last year, I missed my chance to play at home in Game 7.”
In that pivotal Game 7, Brunson suffered a broken left hand. Meanwhile, Josh Hart was dealing with abdominal issues, and Mitchell Robinson had been sidelined after just one game in the series.
OG Anunoby also struggled, managing only five minutes due to tight hamstrings from Game 2.
With the playoffs beginning Wednesday, the Knicks have an opportunity for redemption and to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They’re a different team now.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges weren’t with the Knicks last spring. Players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Julius Randle (who missed the prior series due to injuries) are now gearing up for the Western Conference Finals.
“It’s a completely different team, a different situation, a different playoff round,” Hart noted. “We have to make sure we’re prepared.”
The Pacers’ lineup is somewhat familiar, but there are changes. Benedict Mathurin, who performed exceptionally against the Knicks in three regular-season games this season, is back, shooting 52.6% from three on 6.3 attempts. He didn’t play in last year’s series.
The Pacers have also improved defensively, moving from 24th in defensive ratings to 14th this season. They boast a net rating of plus 5.5 in the playoffs, one of the best among the sixteen teams to make it this far, even eliminating the top-seeded Cavaliers.
On their end, the Knicks are emerging from a surprise six-game series victory over the reigning champions, having made a remarkable comeback in their initial three wins.
They were considered underdogs against the Celtics. However, such surprising victories can sometimes lead to a loss of focus. Hart doesn’t think that will apply to the Knicks.
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“We’ve been saying all year that it’s not just about beating the Boston Celtics,” he said. “It’s about who we are. When you concentrate solely on beating a certain team, you might lose sight of your goals once you achieve that.”
Fans celebrated along Seventh Avenue after the final buzzer, reveling in what felt like a championship win. Yet, the players only reacted mildly after their Game 6 victory.
There was emphasis on replicating their best postseason efforts. Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals wasn’t the end goal, according to coach Tom Thibodeau. Their mentality was to aim for eight wins, not just getting through the next round.
“For us, it’s a long journey ahead, so we don’t view it as an accomplishment,” Brunson remarked. “We’re thankful, but we recognize there’s still a lot of work to do.”
With a different lineup this season, some players still recall the challenges posed by the Pacers.
The Knicks had a 2-0 series lead last year but ended up losing four of the next five games. When asked if that series still weighed on him, Brunson simply said, “We lost.”
As of Wednesday, the Knicks have a chance to correct last May’s mistakes.
