Saturday night’s showdown between the Knicks and Warriors wasn’t just about the action on the court—things got heated on the sidelines, too. Late in the fourth quarter, with New York trailing 84-75, Tom Thibodeau and Josh Hart got into a fiery exchange during a timeout. Thibodeau was seen angrily shouting at Hart, who didn’t hesitate to fire back.
The exact reason for the outburst wasn’t clear, but frustration was definitely in the air. ESPN wasted no time making it a talking point, airing the confrontation as soon as they returned from a commercial break. But after the post match conference, everything is clear as a bell.
Both coach and player downplayed the moment, making it clear there was no real issue. When asked about the exchange, Thibodeau brushed it off.
“There was a clip…you & Josh kinda exchanging words––” Knicks reporter Fred Katz asked.
“Aw, yeah, I love Josh, you guys know that. Just whatever can get us going, just try to get us going,” Thibodeau responded. Katz followed up, calling it a passionate moment. Thibodeau, with a slight grin, simply replied, “Yeah, that’s it.”
Hart echoed a similar sentiment, saying he loves Thibodeau and considers himself one of the most loyal players to his coach. He admitted frustration over the team’s poor performance played a role in the heated exchange but emphasized that their close relationship allows for moments like these. Hart and Thibodeau have a strong bond, and occasional back-and-forths are just part of their competitive nature.
Even Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson the announcers for the game didn’t see anything unusual in the heated moment between Thibodeau and Hart. Breen pointed out that Hart is one of Thibs’ most trusted players, while Jefferson dismissed the exchange as just another part of the game.
“For everybody watching … look, you’re struggling, you’re short, you’re down on the road. Yeah, everyone should be fired up,” Jefferson said, making it clear this was nothing out of the ordinary. “That is 100 percent normal.”
He also added that real competitors never get comfortable. “If you’re happy about where you are right now as a team, you’re not a true competitor.”
This is a developing story…
The post Tom Thibodeau and Josh Hart Say the Same Thing About Their Heated Moment on National TV After Warriors Loss appeared first on EssentiallySports.
