After the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson’s wild comeback win in Game 3, not everyone was ready to give them their flowers. Charles Barkley raised eyebrows by calling out Tom Thibodeau’s rotations, questioning the logic behind playing time decisions. “What the hell’s up with Thibs?” Barkley said. “The bench won y’all the game… Does he ever explain ‘I’m gonna play guys, not gonna play guys’? Gotta admit it’s wacky.”
That didn’t sit well with Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who quickly stepped up post-game to defend his team—and his coach. “I got the utmost faith [in Thibs],” Brunson said. “Regardless of… respectfully, whatever you guys say, we’re a close-knit group in that locker room.”
Jalen Brunson’s response wasn’t just about backing Thibs—it was a statement on the team’s unity. Despite foul trouble, odd rotations, and a rollercoaster of a game, the Knicks rallied behind each other and delivered a massive fourth-quarter rally. Barkley may think it’s chaos behind the scenes, but Brunson made it clear: this team is tight, locked in, and not here for the outside noise.
Chuck “What the hell’s up w Thibs?…Bench won y’all game…Does he ever explain ‘I’m gonna play guys, not gonna play guys’? Gotta admit it’s wacky”
Jalen “…I got the utmost faith…Regardless of…respectfully whatever you guys say, we’re a close-knit group in that locker room” pic.twitter.com/vneCQ2ajZR
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 26, 2025
ongoing story…
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