Overview

• Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau opted not to use a timeout in the final minutes of Game 5, leaving key players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart waiting to sub in until just 27 seconds remained.
• New York ultimately lost 106-103 to the Detroit Pistons, falling behind 3-2 in the first-round playoff series and facing potential elimination.
• Thibodeau defended his decision, citing management of timeouts, a response that has done little to quell criticism from fans and analysts.
• Fans have drawn comparisons to other infamous New York sports coaching errors and have taken to social media demanding Thibodeau’s firing if the team is eliminated.
• The Knicks now head to Detroit for Game 6, needing a win to force a decisive Game 7 and salvage their playoff hopes.