The Knicks had been in Boston on Wednesday evening for Sport 5 with a 3-1 collection lead. Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles on the finish of Sport 4 and was unavailable for the Celtics.
Regardless of Boston being down their prime participant, they rallied in Sport 5 for a 127-102 win. Nonetheless, the Celtics are nonetheless down 3-2 within the collection and are in New York for Sport 6. Forward of Friday’s matchup, Knicks legend Charles Oakley defended head coach Tom Thibodeau for his teaching type. Oakley believes within the rotation that New York has been utilizing this postseason.
Can the Knicks shut out the collection at dwelling in Sport 6?
Knicks wish to do one thing in Sport 6 that they haven’t completed since 1999: clinch a playoff collection at dwelling 😳
Will they get it completed, or is that this collection going to seven video games?
Celtics-Knicks Sport 6 | Friday at 8 PM ET on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wlcGK68Iks
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) Might 15, 2025
All through the 2024-25 common season, Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau was closely criticized for his rotation of gamers. Three of New York’s 5 starters completed prime 5 for minutes averaged per sport. All 5 of their starters had been within the prime 20. At instances this season, it seemed like Knicks gamers had been worn down from the heavy minutes they performed every evening.
Within the 2925 playoffs, Thibodeau has performed his starters with elevated minutes. Knicks legend Charles Oakley defended Thibodeau’s rotation forward of Sport 6 on Friday. Oakley mentioned the most effective gamers needs to be on the court docket for 38-42 minutes per sport. That’s nearly precisely what Tom Thibodeau’s rotation appears to be like like within the 2025 postseason. The Knicks legend talked about how the staff is making an attempt to run its system.
That includes enjoying the starters in heavy minutes. New York doesn’t have the identical bench presence as different groups within the 2025 playoffs. Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride are the one bench gamers who see constant minutes for the Knicks. Sport 6 is Friday evening, and the Knicks have an opportunity to make historical past. They will clinch a playoff collection at dwelling for the primary time since 1999. Tune in to ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EST to observe Celtics vs. Knicks.
