The unyielding spirit of the New York Knicks

The Knicks have justifiably become synonymous with the resilience and indefatigable spirit that defines the heart of New York City. Their Thursday night, three-point win not only clinched a 4-2 series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers; it showed how this gritty team embodies the very essence of New York—never back down, never give up.

The Knicks’ roster, helmed by veteran coach Tom Thibodeau, features an unlikely superstar in Jalen Brunson. Often the smallest player on the court, Brunson struggled to execute his usual offensive actions at the start of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. Rival coach Nick Nurse schemed Brunson well, flanking him with coverage that included long-limbed Kelly Oubre, Jr. and limited Jalen to 16-of-55 shooting from the field through Games One and Two, and 2-of-12 from deep.

The cool things? 1) The Knicks found a way to win without a Brunson superstar performance, and 2) by Game Three Jalen had figured out how to adapt. From then on, over four games, he averaged 41.8 points and 10.3 assists and shot 49% from the floor and 35% from deep. Overall, he averaged 43.8 minutes per game, yet again leading his team by example.

During the regular season, Josh Hart was a 31% three-point shooter. He was great in many ways this year (the rebounding!) but airing it out from a distance was not one of them. When the Knicks were scrambling for offense, Josh stepped up. In the six-game series, he drained 43.2% of his threes, averaging 6.2 per game. Not only that, he averaged a double-double of 16.8 points and 12.3 rebounds, plus 4.5 assists, and 46.4 minutes, All numbers were improvements upon his regular season tallies. Against tougher competition, in even tougher situations, Josh performed even better. If that’s not New York spirit, nothing is.

It was only fitting that toward the end of Game Six, with the court in chaos, it was Josh who drained the dagger three that ultimately killed the Sixers.

In the series, OG Anunoby averaged 15 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting a field-goal percentage of 51.3. He took every assignment that Thibs asked of him and executed with precision.

Donte DiVincenzo drilled 4-of-8 from downtown, including a game-winner, to be a Game Two hero. He faded from view for the next three contests but in the close-out game, he scored 23 points and hit 5-of-9 from deep.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein certainly had his hands full against Joel Embiid. Isaiah averaged 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his six games, and averaged 4.2 fouls. Mitchell Robinson, however, averaged 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 points, and 1.2 blocks, defended Emiid very well, and finished with a positive plus/minus in five out of six games despite playing on a sore ankle.

Off the bench, Miles McBride has averaged 11.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the series. Deuce hit timely threes, contributed great defense, and logged a whopping +37 in their seven-point Game One win.

The series against the 76ers showed the Knicks’ capacity to learn from their mistakes and adjust effectively. After a positively gutting Game Five loss, blown by miscommunication, defensive lapses, and missed free throws, the team rallied. The next game saw them executing beautifully, particularly in the closing moments when intentional fouls and crucial free throws sealed a victory. The win was about more than just advancing to the next round—it was about redemption.

While we savor the series victory over Embiid and the Sixers, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. Their next series against the Indiana Pacers will test their adaptations and strategies again. The Pacers, known for their speedy play and scoring, will be a formidable opponent. Yet, New York is the better team and will have home-court advantage and Madison Square Garden, a true sixth-man.

For the Knicks, every game is a battle, not just against their opponents but against the odds. This team doesn’t just play basketball; they are crafting a narrative of overcoming adversity, underscored by a collective resilience that resonates deeply with their fans and their city. What a time to love the orange and blue.