The New York Knicks have their backs up against the wall ahead of a must-win Game 5 on Wednesday night at MSG with the Hawks up 3-1 in the series. By no surprise, tensions are high as their very impressive season could come to an abrupt end.
Shooting guard RJ Barrett meanwhile, blew up on a reporter early Wednesday after a rather foolish question, via Knicks Videos:
RJ Barrett on how the Knicks will view their season if the series ends tonight:
"We're winning tonight, I'm not thinking about that" pic.twitter.com/vJ8BwFMI0Q
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) June 2, 2021
Based on his reaction there, the Knicks are clearly feeling the heat. However, they should. New York was a solid team all season long but has gone completely cold in these playoffs, dropping back-to-back contests in Atlanta.
Derrick Rose has been about the only player actually thriving offensively, with star forward Julius Randle struggling to find his scoring touch. But if there was any time for this season's Most Improved Player candidate to finally step up, it would be Wednesday night in front of 15,000 screaming Knicks fans.
Tom Thibodeau's squad needs to try and find a way to also contain Trae Young, who is having his way with a Knicks defense who was third in the league during the regular season.
It's not going to be easy, but Barrett does have the right mindset. There is no point in thinking about what they accomplished before the postseason because this stage is what really matters after all.
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