Julius Randle #30 of the Knicks passes under pressure from LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2021. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
First, there was a technical foul on RJ Barrett. Then Julius Randle went nose to nose with Charlotte’s Cody Zeller. Nerlens Noel and Zeller were then hit with double technicals. Add in the pressure of an overtime session, the physicality and the score both equally important indicators that the team is ready for the playoffs.
Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t want his team looking ahead - and there is still one game left in the regular season Sunday afternoon before the focus shifts to the playoffs.