Stephen A. Smith’s scathing criticism of Tom Thibodeau’s decision-making went beyond the coach’s lineup rotations, with Smith skewering Jalen Brunson’s questionable shot selection in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Knicks’ 114-109 loss to the Pacers at Madison Square Garden was a franchise-worst defeat for many fans. Smith questioned keeping Karl-Anthony Towns on the bench for most of the fourth quarter, a decision that proved costly as the deficit increased with Mitchell Robinson on the court.
Thibodeau’s loyalty to his starting lineup hindered the team in the first and third quarters, while his offensively challenged fifth lineup including Cam Payne over Jalen Brunson in the final quarter proved disastrous. Brunson’s missed 29-footer with eight seconds remaining sealed the defeat.
The Knicks are now down 2-0 in the series and face an uphill battle to stay alive unless they win at least one of their next two games on the road. Smith believes the series may be all but over, saying “It looks like they’re going home.”
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/05/24/sports/stephen-a-smith-skewers-tom-thibodeau-in-distraught-knicks-rant-after-game-2-loss