Mike Brown appears to share a similar mindset with Tom Thibodeau, particularly regarding garbage time in games.
In a recent blowout loss to the Magic, the new Knicks coach stood by his choice to keep Jalen Brunson on the floor during the game’s last few minutes, claiming, “I’m trying to win the game,” and referencing a possible “crazy comeback.” He noted, “We’ve got a few minutes left. It’s a two-possession game with a stop and two 3-pointers.”
However, Brown’s strategy backfired when Brunson twisted his ankle while the Knicks were ahead by 16 points with just under two minutes remaining. Tests later confirmed it was a Grade 1 sprain.
As a result, Brunson was ruled out for the upcoming game against the Heat, and Brown mentioned he would wait for updates from Knicks doctor Casey Smith.
Despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation when Brunson got hurt, Brown remained optimistic, suggesting that what constitutes garbage time could “change depending on the flow of the game.”
He recalled a moment during his time as the Nuggets’ video coordinator in 1994 when Rodney Rodgers scored nine points in just nine seconds, bringing the Nuggets close to the Jazz, even though they ultimately lost. Brown remarked, “Sometimes it comes down to the last second,” and emphasized his belief in the competitiveness of his players, claiming, “If I feel like our guys are still trying to win, then we’re going to try to win the game.”
This approach sounds somewhat familiar because Thibodeau often cited similar scenarios, like Tracy McGrady’s late-game performances, as examples of not giving up despite the odds.
Nevertheless, both coaches have faced injuries during garbage time while leading the Knicks. Under Thibodeau, RJ Barrett sprained his ankle in the waning moments of a significant loss, resulting in him missing four games. Now, under Brown, Brunson is sidelined after an ankle issue, even though the game was pretty much decided.
Brown expressed his concerns when asked about Brunson’s condition, saying, “You never want anyone on your team to get hurt,” noting that he was relieved it wasn’t worse, especially since Brunson left on crutches. However, he added, “I don’t know the details.”
This latest perspective seems to contradict his earlier statements during training camp, where he emphasized prioritizing players’ health over wins. He had mentioned the importance of managing game time: “Instead of trying to increase everyone’s minutes, we want to keep this person’s minutes here…”
With hopes of extending their five-game win streak, Brown pursued victory, only for Brunson to end up injuring himself, which echoes a similar ankle sprain he dealt with last season.
For the next game, the Knicks turned to Miles McBride as a starting shooting guard, given that they were already short-handed after Malcolm Brogdon’s unexpected retirement.
Reflecting on his decision, Brown seemed unfazed by the outcome. As he put it, “If I feel like I have a chance, I’m going to win the game.”
