What was Tom Thibodeau thinking on the Knicks’ final play of regulation?

Jalen Brunson, who stands at six-foot-one, made a game-changing play for the New York Knicks when he took a charge on Anthony Davis, who stands at six-foot-ten. After the Lakers challenged the call, Scott Foster (yes, that Scott Foster) announced that the call was being upheld. With 4.5 seconds left in regulation, the Knicks were set to inbound the ball in front of their own bench.

Not only was Brunson the one that put the ball back in New York’s hands to end the game, but he was the reason why the Knicks were in a position to win the game in the first place. Surely Tom Thibodeau was going to draw up a play where Brunson would be the one to get a shot off, right? Wrong.

Instead, Julius Randle went into iso mode for the remaining 4.5 seconds. Here’s the kicker – he didn’t even get a shot off. Brunson, who has proven that he’s clutch, didn’t touch the ball. Randle, who made several poor decisions in the loss, was instead tasked with shooting the potential game-winning shot.

Here’s the question that many Knicks fans were wondering after watching New York’s final play of regulation:

Tom Thibodeau embarrasses himself and Knicks with final play of regulation

Tom Thibodeau should’ve been escorted off the court after that atrocity. To not even get a shot off in a game that you go on to lose 129-123 in overtime is a shame. The Knicks had time to drive the ball for a possible kick out, but instead, it ended up being a painful 4.5 seconds that went nowhere.

For reference on why the game was tied at 124-124 in the first place, here’s a look at Jalen Brunson doing what he does.

You have a player that has the hot hand and instead, a player that’s struggled holds onto the ball for 4.5 seconds? Julius Randle has been the reason why New York has won several games this season, but it wasn’t his night on Tuesday. He shouldn’t have been the one to attempt to take the final shot. RJ Barrett would’ve been a better option given that he has the clutch gene, but his woes led him to the bench as he was replaced by Immanuel Quickley down the stretch.

Tuesday was a winnable game for the Knicks, a team that’s currently fighting to remain in play-in range. These are the kind of losses where you look back at the end of the season and think about what could’ve been if one little thing had gone differently, like Brunson touching the ball at the end of regulation.

Tom Thibodeau must be stopped.

3 trades the Knicks need to make to strengthen bench unit

With the way the Knicks bench has been struggling, it is time for the front office to consider making some moves for veterans to bolster the unit.