Knicks Coach Mike Brown Challenges Team's Pride to Turn Tide Against Pistons
The Knicks' coach, Mike Brown, is urging his players to channel their pride and turn the tide against their conference-leading rivals, the Pistons, in Thursday's highly anticipated rematch at Madison Square Garden. After suffering lopsided losses in their previous two matchups, including a devastating defeat just two weeks ago, Brown hopes the team will be fired up and motivated to prove their mettle.
"Yeah, it should mean something more," Brown stated. "They didn't just win the game; they dominated us. While every game is crucial, there's a certain point when you're in a competitive environment where such losses can shake you up."
The Knicks (35-20) have struggled against the Pistons (40-13) this season, losing both games by a combined 69 points. In their most recent encounter on February 6, the Knicks' performance was abysmal, with a season-low 80 points scored and a mere 35.8% shooting percentage. Brown acknowledges that the regular-season outcome won't guarantee playoff success against the Pistons, emphasizing the importance of competitiveness and pride.
"At the end of the day, winning tomorrow or the next few games against them doesn't ensure playoff victory," Brown explained. "I've witnessed teams go 0-4 in the regular season and still emerge victorious in the series. It's not about the regular-season results; it's about how we perform in the first two games and our ability to reverse that trend."
The Pistons will be without their bruising centers, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, who were suspended for their involvement in a brawl against the Hornets last week. Stewart, a repeat offender, received a seven-game suspension, while Duren was suspended for just two games, with Thursday's game being the second.
OG Anunoby, known for his reserved nature, provided a glimpse into his recent toenail removal surgery, which kept him out of four games before the All-Star break. He described the experience as excruciating, involving a lot of pain and an open, raw, bloody wound post-surgery.
Despite being listed as questionable for Thursday's game, Anunoby is expected to play after participating in a full practice on Wednesday. The Knicks' performance without Anunoby was mixed, including a challenging defeat in Detroit on February 6. Against the Pistons, Anunoby is typically tasked with defending Cade Cunningham, whose absence is felt due to his size and skill set.
Brown emphasized the importance of Anunoby's presence on the court, stating, 'At that size and his skill set, you always miss that when he’s out. It’s good to see him on the floor, for sure.'
