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On the latest edition of The Stephen A. Smith Show, NBA legend Kevin Garnett joined the conversation to talk about the NBA Playoffs and why he thinks the New York Knicks are going to be a problem next season.
Said Garnett on the Knicks, “The Knicks are going to be a problem next year. I’m just going to say this. I’m Celtics ’till I die, but man, the Knicks should look very very good next year. There’s going to be one of the team’s on my list to keep out for. They got a lot of parts. Big body Brunson, you know I’m eager to see him and Randle together. Josh Hart showed some unbelievable [play]. I’m looking forward to this Knicks team next year.”
The Knicks spent the entire season battling injuries, and it finally became too much to overcome, as they suffered a season-ending 130-109 defeat to the New York Knicks in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Sunday. One player who has dealt with injury this season is forward Julius Randle, and New York may have to make some tough decisions regarding his future with the team this offseason.
Randle’s season came to an end back on January 27th when he suffered what would eventually be a season-ending shoulder injury. Players like Hart and Donte DiVincenzo stepped up in Randle’s absence and, while they would gladly welcome him back next season, the fact that Randle is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract has the Knicks front office contemplating whether or not they should trade him before they either potentially lose him for nothing in free agency or end up paying him a massive extension.
Knicks see season come to an end in Game 7 vs. Pacers
New York saw their season come to a close on Sunday night after falling 130-109 to the Pacers in a game that saw Indiana shoot better than 67 percent from the floor.
The Knicks had hoped that OG Anunoby and Josh Hart returning to the lineup would spur them to victory, but Anunoby was forced to exit the game after just a handful of minutes with lingering hamstring issues. While Hart was able to play a complete game after dealing with abdominal soreness, his backcourt mate – star Jalen Brunson – suffered a fractured hand in the second half that spelled doom for New York’s chances at a comeback.
The Knicks never really had an answer for the Pacers’ star players. Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner all had great performances throughout this series. New York had no answers defensively which put a ton of pressure on Jalen Brunson to score at will. Tom Thibodeau didn’t make too many changes to slow down Indiana. For that reason, Thibodeau is one of the people most to blame for New York’s playoff elimination.
More must-reads:
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- The 'Most three-pointers made in the playoffs' quiz
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