It’s been 14 years since the Knicks’ head coach last reached this point — nine playoff wins deep, one round away from the NBA Finals.

Smith highlighted the decision to keep Karl-Anthony Towns – named to the All-NBA Third-Team earlier in the day – on the bench for most of the fourth quarter.

Following his impressive performance on Friday night, Brunson has entered LeBron James and Michael Jordan territory. He became the fourth player with five or more 35-point and 10-assist games in the playoffs. James, Jordan, and Jerry West are the only other players to accomplish that feat.

After each game, whether you win or lose, you have to re-set and have to be ready for the task at hand, which is your next game,” Thibodeau said. “So it’s how you respond to the next