The New York Knicks’ most vital X-factor may not have played a minute against the Boston Celtics.
There’s no way for the Boston Celtics to stop the New York Knicks’ latest x-factor — considering he has not, and probably will not, taken/take the floor at any point of this Eastern Conference semifinal set.
Josh Hart revealed an unexpected hero from the Knicks’ latest postseason shocker, a 121-113 victory that gave them a 3-1 series lead over the defending champions.
During an interview on MSG Network’s postgame show, Hart lauded the usual suspects like fellow starters OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Special praise, however, was dedicated to PJ Tucker, one of the Knicks’ final men that has nary a minute to his 2025 postseason name.
Josh Hart “JB…KAT…OG…Mikal…And shoutout PJ Tucker, making sure we’re up & talking. Brought that championship pedigree to us. Deserves a big shoutout”
Alan Hahn “Did PJ have a speech or something?”
Josh “He always talks to us. He’s a champion, & he’s bringing that mentality”
“Shoutout to PJ Tucker, for making sure we’re up, we’re talking,” Hart said (h/t New York Basketball on X). “He brought that championship pedigree to us and he deserved a big shoutout … He’s just someone that always talks to us. He’s a champion and he’s bringing that mentality.”
Despite playing sparingly in a Knicks uniform, Tucker has gained a cult following among Knicks fans since signing with the team on a series of 10-day deals over the winter. His animated reactions on the Madison Square Garden bench, as well as his flashy sneaker closet, have earned him such support and have allowed him to leave a lasting impact on metropolitan affairs.
All that and more might be exactly why Tucker, who turned 40 last week, landed a two-year with the Knicks after his couple of 10-days expired despite appearing in only three games to date. Of note, Tucker is one of the few active New Yorkers to carry championship hardware, earning a ring as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Tucker has understood his New York role from the get-go, knowing his impact would be felt more in the mind than in the box score. The veteran is pleased with the way that his on-court proteges have responded to his teachings.
“That’s been something I’ve been trying to help with — getting them to talk to each other more,” Tucker said earlier in the Celtics series, per James Edwards III of The Athletic. “They all talk to me, but they didn’t talk to each other in real time … We needed to do those things instead of putting our hands up and looking at each other.”
“It’s changed. Do I think it needs to get better? One hundred percent. But it’s come a long way since I’ve got here, for sure.”
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