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2 Unexpected Knicks players make playoff appearance in electric Game 3

By Jordanna Clark

Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; General view o Madison Square Garden during the third quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; General view o Madison Square Garden during the third quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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In case you’re wondering how Game 3 between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers went, there was one player that played for the first time since Feb. 25 and another that played who was one of the team’s best players at Summer League. That’s the kind of night that it was for the Knicks.

After a horrific Game 2 performance that resulted in a 107-90 Cleveland win, New York responded in the best way. The crowd at MSG was absolutely electric and Tom Thibodeau rewarded their efforts by giving the people what they wanted — Derrick Rose playoff minutes.

Jeff Van Gundy had just been advocating for Rose and Evan Fournier playoff minutes, and after the crowd was chanting for Rose, Thibodeau granted their wishes. That wasn’t all, though. DaQuan Jeffries, a player that Thibodeau has talked highly of, made his Knicks playoff debut.

Knicks fans couldn’t have asked for much more.

Derrick Rose, DaQuan Jeffries get playing time in Knicks’ 99-79 Game 3 win

Yes, Derrick Rose, who hasn’t played in nearly two full months, got minutes in a playoff game. He helped to lead the charge for New York in the postseason two years ago and although he entered the 2022-23 season fully healthy, he was removed from Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.

The Knicks didn’t trade Rose ahead of the deadline, but he made it clear that he was happy remaining in New York.

Rose didn’t score in the three minutes that he played to close out the game, but it says enough that he was in the game to begin with. Friday’s win was a prime example of the environment at Madison Square Garden being a major playoff advantage. Jalen Brunson himself said that MSG was the difference for New York in the win. How else would Rose have gotten minutes?

As for DaQuan Jeffries, he entered the game and immediately started jawing with Raul Neto as he became a Knicks playoff legend in his own right. It was nice to see him take the court after New York signed him to a two-year deal in late March.

You’ll never know what will happen during the playoffs.

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