The New York Knicks were eliminated from the postseason by the Miami Heat on Friday, marking the end of a successful season but a disappointing loss for the team. Swingman RJ Barrett, who went 1-for-10 in the game, expressed his disappointment, saying he didn’t feel like he played his best when his team needed him the most. However, he also acknowledged that experiences like these can be learned from, and the Knicks can grow from the mistakes they made against the Heat.
Guard Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-high 41 points after playing all 48 minutes in a Game 5 victory, can take solace that he did everything he could to try and carry his team across the finish line. Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle missed the last two weeks of the regular season because of a painful left ankle injury, and his play was up and down throughout this postseason, culminating in a 3-for-14 performance Friday night. However, coach Tom Thibodeau defended Randle, saying he is still young and going into his prime.
Despite the loss, the Knicks can take solace in the fact they grew as a team this season. The team is confident they can learn from their mistakes against the Heat and grow from them in the future. Brunson reiterated how happy he was to be in New York City and how excited he is about the upcoming season, expressing the need for teammates to stick together and keep working on their game. Barrett also expressed hope for the future, saying, “We’re going to sit with this one a little bit, figure it out, and come back stronger next year.”
