The New York Knicks finally scored a win against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
They didn’t want to be in a 3-0 hole against the Pacers, and they fought like their lives depended on it.
Following the game, head coach Tom Thibodeau talked about his team’s approach to the game and told the press that no lead, no matter how big it is, is ever secure in the playoffs.
“I know you guys roll your eyes when I say no lead is safe, but no lead is safe,” said Thibodeau, via the NBA on X. “With the three-point shot, people make up ground quickly, pace the game. You see comebacks all the time, and when you let up a little bit, that’s what happens. Obviously, you’d prefer to play from a lead, but whatever it is that you have to do, that’s what you have to do to get the win in the end.”
NYK’s Tom Thibodeau sounds off after the win on why leads are never safe in the playoffs ⤵️#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google pic.twitter.com/Mox6GfXkU3
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Fans were incredibly nervous during Sunday’s game because the Pacers started to get carried away and held a large lead.
It looked like New York was on its way to yet another loss, one that would basically eliminate their chances of moving on.
But the Knicks hung with it, and they didn’t let the scoreboard intimidate them.
Because of the hard work of the bench and Karl-Anthony Towns’ explosive output, the Knicks closed the gap and eventually earned a mandatory win.
Thibodeau said he told his team not to think about the series but instead only focus on the game at hand.
They can’t get bogged down in everything else; they need to just think about their next 48 minutes on the court.
That worked well for them on Sunday, and now the Knicks could even the series in Game 4.
They proved that no lead is safe in a game, and now they want to show that’s true for a series lead, too.
NEXT: Iman Shumpert Sends Message To Knicks Fans About Game 4