Tom Thibodeau faces rest vs. rhythm decision in Knicks’ season finale

The Knicks will clasp a hearty remainder vs. hit statement up of Sunday’s play finale successful Brooklyn.

On 1 hand, nan crippled astatine Barclays Center is meaningless.

The Knicks are locked into nan 3rd seed aft Friday’s 108-102 nonaccomplishment to nan Cavaliers, pinch nan Pistons secured arsenic nan first-round opponent.

But nan Knicks (50-31) are besides riding a three-game losing streak pinch a request for assurance and reps up of nan playoffs.

Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t perpetrate to playing his regular starters — “we’ll woody pinch Sunday connected Sunday,” he said — but besides was intelligibly disappointed astatine nan existent authorities of nan Knicks.

“We request to get rhythm. We request to get amended arsenic a team, we request to get a rhythm,” Thibodeau said. “You get nan highest seed you perchance can, and past you make those decisions astir whether you remainder aliases what you’re doing.”

New York dropped to 1-3 since nan return of Jalen Brunson, who missed 15 games — mostly successful March — while recovering from a sprained ankle.

Tom Thibodeau argues a telephone during nan Knicks’ 108-102 nonaccomplishment to Cavaliers connected April 11, 2025. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The All-Star constituent guard, who scored a team-high 27 points Friday, seemed eager to play again earlier nan postseason.

“I consciousness great. I consciousness better. Just proceed to strive for that and conscionable making judge I’m 100 percent myself going into tomorrow and Sunday and going for it,” Brunson said.

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

Does that mean he’s playing against nan Nets?

“I want to triumph connected Sunday,” Brunson said. “It’s conscionable plain and simple.”

Jalen Brunson gives a dejected look during nan Knicks’ nonaccomplishment to nan Cavaliers. Jason Szenes / New York Post

On Friday, KAT was out. The remainder were in.

On nan 2nd nighttime of a back-to-back and pinch nan 3rd seed successful nan balance, nan Knicks started 4 of their regulars Friday nighttime against nan Cavaliers.

Only Karl-Anthony Towns was connected nan inactive database because of nan knee soreness that kept him retired of erstwhile contests.

OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, who sat retired Thursday’s nonaccomplishment to nan Pistons, were ever expected to return.

Brunson’s availability, however, was somewhat surprising.

He only precocious returned from that 15-game absence because of an ankle sprain and was listed arsenic questionable up of Friday’s tipoff.

With Friday’s start, Brunson deed nan 65-game period for postseason awards eligibility.

Several Knicks players wore T-shirts during warmups celebrating teammate Anuonoby, who is simply a campaigner for an All-Defense selection.

The T-shirts showed Anunoby pinch glowing eyes pinch nan message, “Demon connected defense.”