New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was in philosophical mood despite his side losing the lowest scoring game in the NBA since 2016.
The Knicks, who held the Orlando Magic to 74 points on Friday, got a taste of their own medicine as they went down 79-73 to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Read our other sports news stories here:
Gobert fined $100k for money gesture
D’Angelo Russell wants ‘all the smoke’
Russell Wilson in talks with Steelers, Giants after Broncos release – reports
The 152 points scored was the fewest in an NBA game since the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 78-74 eight years ago.
Thibodeau said: “The nature of the game was physical. It was tough.
“I thought our defense was good, I thought the rebounding was good enough. They made a couple shots late in the 3rd, start of the 4th. But we fought, got back, had a chance at the end.
“We had a couple turnovers that hurt us there. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”
The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson added: “Just one of those nights, but we had a chance to win.
“We just didn’t make enough plays in the end. A lot of turnovers.
“I gotta be better as a player, as a leader, to make sure we’re all ready to go, and we weren’t tonight.”
Final pic.twitter.com/8J39S76d16
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 11, 2024
The injury-riddled 76ers will take anything at the minute and coach Nick Nurse admitted they were trying to keep it simple until some of their first-choice players returned.
“I’m mostly trying to evaluate if guys can execute what we’re trying to do,” said Nurse, who is without the likes of league MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey.
“Play really hard and execute what we’re trying to do. Make plays, make the right play, simply move the ball, finish, take the shots they’re supposed to take. That’s all we’re asking.”
