Veteran forward P.J. Tucker had only made one brief appearance for the Knicks this season heading into Thursday’s game in Detroit. However, with OG Anunoby and Josh Hart held for rest, he was surprisingly the first player off the bench last night, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
Tucker received a heads-up that he’d be in the rotation on Thursday, but he wasn’t sure how much he’d play. He wound up logging 27 minutes, the most playing time he’s received in a regular season game in two years.
“Once I got through my first wind, it was really good,” said Tucker, who finished with three points and six rebounds. “I started to open up a little bit. I started to feel good, started talking, getting involved with the game and it’s like riding a bike.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- While Tucker was happy to be playing again, he was not pleased with the loss to the Pistons, who could be New York’s opponent in the first round of the playoffs. “They just out-toughed us. They did. The whole fourth quarter,” Tucker said (story via Bondy). “We kept it close but they just out-toughed us. That’s something we got to address. Obviously, not having OG [Anunoby], not having Josh [Hart], getting those guys back will help a lot. I just feel like down in the trenches like that in the playoffs this year, they’re not calling nothing. They’re letting a lot of stuff go right now and I like it. The refs are letting a lot of stuff go both ways. With that happening, guys got to play differently. We got to play different. We got to toughen up. It’s more physical. We got to toughen up.”
- In a mailbag for The Athletic, James L. Edwards III answers questions about the Knicks’ playoff chances, the results of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, and more. One question is focused on the future of Precious Achiuwa, who will be an unrestricted free agent again this summer after re-signing with New York on a one-year deal. Edwards believes another reunion between the two sides is unlikely.
- Iron man Mikal Bridges has yet to miss a game in his NBA career. In fact, he hasn’t sat out a game since he was in high school, Bondy writes for The New York Post. The 28-year-old is on the verge of playing all 82 regular season games in 2024/25.
- In a subscriber-only story, Bondy lists which members of the Knicks have the most at stake entering the playoffs. Bridges and head coach Tom Thibodeau are likely feeling the most heat, according to Bondy. Bridges will be eligible for an extension this offseason.
Tucker had a -6. in 26 minutes, what are we doing here? This is just elder abuse.
I also enjoy watching the game more once I’ve broken my first wind lol Helen didn’t love that either then don’t make cabbage chili for dinner for the 3rd week in a row
Thanks for the literal LOL
I agree Bridges and Thibs have the most at stake going into playoffs. NY has already started questioning Thibs. And Bridges hasn’t helped himself by not showing up in big games. Was even abused by Cavs Donovan. He made a strong statement to Knicks fans.
I like Achiuwa. He should have been starting. In order to fix bench woes. Don’t get Thibs use of him. Only thing I can see. Is that he is not a shooter. Only every time he gets real mins. He is one of most productive players. As in Detroit 39 mins,
18 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk, FG% 61.5
Not sure if he will be back. NBA doesn’t like old school PFs.
Knicks chances are what they have been all year. Can they beat Boston. Cavs proved they could level up. Knicks didn’t. Cavs been together longer. Boston takes NY serious. Cause they used their best in last OT game at MSG. With Brunson back and Mitch there. They know they better come to play. Still don’t get why you let TJ walk. Never will I guess. This year was not about a chip. Only geniuses think that. This year was about becoming a contender. They can still do that.
“Knicks chances are what they have been all year. ”
That would be zero, as far as making the ECF goes.
You are right about Achiuwa: “he is not a shooter” and “NBA doesn’t like old school PFs”. The only team he will help us against is Detroit, and that’s only if he keeps his head on straight and remembers he’s not a shooter. Unfortunately against Boston and the rest of today’s top teams, an old school PF is useless. See Randle, trying his best to fit his beautiful 90s game into 2025. Would’ve loved to see him play in the Jordan era.
“this year was about becoming a contender” well they failed miserably in that regard lol
For the love of God Enough TJ. Enjoy reading some of your long rants but you gotta let it go. He’s a legend in your mind and probably his family. Still quit on his team and no other needs his sorry winey azz. Knicks in trouble. Better beat NJ Sunday. You had them going 3-0. Ouch. Good luck in playoffs. You too TJ
Really — change your name genius. I never cared about TJ. Only what Knicks do.
I had them going nothing. I wanted 3-1. Get it right. You don’t want my bad side. Should be 1-1 now. I’ll take 2-2.
Try reading if you got comments.
Let’s remind him about Demar Derozan
Here’s some REAL info for all the geniuses……. who just refuse to get informed or learn the fame……
“ But a study from Claire de Lune of The Guardian states that Thibodeau’s workloads aren’t to blame for increased injuries among his men: with NBA injury data relatively fleeting, de Lune collaborated with independent researcher Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes, which documents medical absences in the Association.
The results showed that Thibodeau’s Knicks starters average among the fewest games lost due to injury. That carries on a trend from his days at the helm of the Minnesota Timberwolves (where his starters lost less than 10 games a year due to injuries) and such tallies in Chicago were exacerbated only by lengthy departures like those of Derrick Rose.
Aside from those exceptions, there’s no continuous or notable trend,” de Lune notes from the data. “While it’s fair to wonder whether heavy minutes might have subtle or long-term effects – and while Thibodeau’s approach may still be out of step with evolving sports science – the data doesn’t support a definitive link between his coaching style and injury risk.”
Learn the game so you can learn to be critical. ….
link to si.com
Good find. This is well known, and why the notion that Thibs’ PT for some starters increases their risk of injury has NEVER gotten beyond 2k’ers. You’ll never hear anyone real (player, FO guy, commentator or other coach) say anything like it, yet its a common refrain on this site and others.
In his time with the NYK, Thibs’ starters are 24th in the league (average over the 4 seasons) in games missed for injury. Moreover, VERY few of those games were missed by the guys who were seeing greater than normal starter minutes. Last year, e.g., of the 3 players who missed substantial time for injury (Mitch, Randle and OG) only Randle saw even full starter minutes (for the NYK) prior to his injury. The 4 guys who played high 30’s in minutes did so only in the last 6-8 weeks of of the regular season into the playoffs (Brunson, DiV, Hart and I-Hart), and miraculously they all stayed healthy and very productive through the playoffs.
There may be other reasons to play starters, or at least some of them, fewer minutes, but it doesn’t relate to injury risk. In Thibs’ case at least, it also can’t be tied to declining player performance down the stretch of a season, since his teams almost always finish strong, usually with his high minute guys playing their best.