Brown shares his message to the team's leaders about staying focused and leaving the refs alone.
The New York Knicks (25-14) are looking to put a tough stretch behind them, and their first-year head coach Mike Brown has a clear message for his veteran players about how to get back on track.
Brown's Message to the Leaders
After snapping a five-game skid with a 123-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Brown spoke openly about what he has been telling his leaders, including Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
"I've been talking to our veterans — Jalen, Josh, Big — it starts with you guys," Brown said. "You guys have to leave the officials alone so everybody else falls in line."
Brown was happy with how his team responded to that message in Portland.
"I thought our guys handled the officiating fantastic. We control whether we're going to win or lose and not the officials," Brown continued. "Sometimes things will go our way; sometimes, it will go our opponents' way. When you start barking at officials, it takes energy away from what you're trying to do and focus, too."
Hart Returns to Spark the Knicks
A big reason for optimism moving forward is the return of Josh Hart, who had been sidelined since Christmas Day with a sprained right ankle.
Hart made his presence felt immediately in his first game back, putting up 18 points along with six assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block in 31 minutes against the Trail Blazers.
The Knicks have been a much different team with Hart in the lineup this season, posting a 20-9 record when he plays compared to 5-5 without him.
His energy and all-around production have been sorely missed during their recent struggles, and having him back gives New York a spark they desperately needed. Hart is averaging 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 49.6 percent from the field this season.
Looking Ahead
Brunson led the way against Portland with 26 points and eight assists, while Towns added 20 points and 11 rebounds despite briefly leaving the game in the second quarter with a knee issue before returning after halftime.
The win was exactly what the Knicks needed to stop the bleeding after dropping five of their previous six games.
If the Knicks can keep their composure, stay out of foul trouble, and let their play do the talking, they have the talent to make a serious run in the Eastern Conference.
With Hart back in the fold and Brown's message taking hold, New York looks poised to get back to winning ways as they continue their road trip.