The Latest Breaking News from Tom Thibodeau

NEW YORK — The best player in this series, and especially on Sunday afternoon, wasn’t Donovan Mitchell.

Both sides drew heat after the scary moment.

CLEVELAND — A disastrous quarter for the Knicks ended with an energized crowd chanting together, “New York sucks, New York sucks.”

CLEVELAND — It wasn’t Willis Reed walking through the tunnel, but Julius Randle’s presence Saturday provided the Knicks a boost beyond the box score.

NEW YORK — Julius Randle has his eyes on Game 1.

NEW YORK — It was little more than a glorified scrimmage at Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon, nothing on the line for either team and with stars sitting on both teams the highlight perhaps coming when Jalen Brunson appeared in street clothes at center court before the start of the…

NEW YORK — Tom Thibodeau has already eclipsed the last 12 Knicks coaches in victories, an accomplishment that probably reflects more on the volatility of the position than his greatness through a short stint.

In the midst of the most impressive season the Knicks have had in a decade, Julius Randle, New York’s leading scorer and likely All-NBA forward, not only hit an impossible game-winning jumper against rival Miami in early March. He also plopped down a career-best 57 points on March 20 against…

NEW YORK — The Knicks are cautious, refusing to look ahead even at the simplest future scenarios, instead focusing on the task in front of them. And now, with Sunday night’s 118-109 win over the Washington Wizards, that future is a reality as they clinched a playoff spot.

CLEVELAND — If this was a preview of a first-round playoff matchup, expect a mountain of points and a thrilling battle of guards.

Not only does DeRozan feel like the Bulls have one of the top coaches in the Association, but the veteran said Donovan might be the best coach he’s ever had at any level ... and he’s not alone.