NY Knicks: Julius Randle has blunt response to Clint Capela trash talk

As the NY Knicks head into Game 5 of their playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks, the tension has been ramped up.

On the brink of elimination, New York heads home to Madison Square Garden down 3-1 in the series and will do everything they can to win a game and swing the momentum.

NY Knicks: Clint Capela trash talks, Julius Randle responds

The Atlanta Hawks are feeling confident, as they should be. Not only are they a game away from advancing in the playoffs, but they’re also coming off of a blowout victory in Game 4.

The Knicks have been labeled as a “bully-ball” team all season, but Capela hasn’t been buying it. When talking to reporters yesterday, Capela said:

"“They are trying to play tough, push our guys around and talk s–t… I feel like they try to play physical, but if they were really physical, I feel like we would have more problems than we would have. I feel like they’re trying to, but it’s not working… They try to push guys around, we can do that too, and get a win, so what you going to do about it?"

The series has had testy moments, whether it was flagrant fouls, trash talk between plays, or overreactions to a push or shove here and there, there has been some bad blood.

As it stands right now, all of that stuff has been secondary. The offensive talent and execution of the Atlanta Hawks have been better than the NY Knicks, and Clint Capela knows it.

Julius Randle was asked by reporters if he heard Clint Capela’s comments. His response?

"Don’t care… Don’t care… Why would a give a hell what Clint Capela had to say?"

Really, this is the response you want from Julius Randle.

Randle and the Knicks are in no position to be engaging in off-the-court trash talk or drama. New York has to refocus and find the magic they had in the first two games.

The NY Knicks have responded well to adversity all season long, but they’re running out of chances. Hopefully, being back at home helps them out.