Knicks Bulletin: ‘I respect it. I’m not even trying to be funny’

New York is back after a tough win over a pesky Rockets team.

The Knicks didn’t need OG to beat the Rockets on Monday, handing the surging Houstonians an L in their lone trip of the season to MSG, final score 124-118.

New York lacked Anunoby’s tenacity but made up for it with a strong outing by Precious as well as the boost they received on the Mitchell Robinson front right before tip-off.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and few Knickerbockers had to say before and after the game.

Tom Thibodeau

On finding a way to pull off the comeback win on Monday:

“You have to win games different ways. We knew it would be that type of game of the physicality, of playing small, the aggressiveness of it and then we got in a hole but we found a way to win.

“I love the way we responded in the fourth quarter. Whatever it was going to take, we were going to do.

“There’s going to be a physicality to the game. Sometimes things don’t go your way. Then you gotta make them go your way. So don’t let that deter you from trying to win the game and move on to the next play.”

On OG Anunoby’s injury:

“You deal with the reality of it. It’s good that it’s a mild sprain. Just work your way through the treatment and get ready to go. Next guy get in there and get the job done.”

On adjusting to OG Anunoby’s absence against the Rockets:

“We’re going through an adjustment, obviously, with OG out, different guys stepping in. I thought Precious, his defense helped a lot, just because of the switchability that we have with him. They have a number of guys that have great quickness that can go off the dribble. You have to build your shell, and when we build our shell, we’re pretty good.”

On Precious Achiuwa’s role in Anunoby’s absence:

“Versatility, athleticism, can guard multiple positions, he can switch one through five. Run the floor, play with pace, very good in the pocket, very good offensive rebounder.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s rehab progress:

“The next step will be to start taking contact in practice. Obviously, there are a number of steps for him to go through, so the next step is the contact part of practice and just get going with that.”

Jalen Brunson

On the Knicks’ resilience against the Rockets:

“We know what we’re capable of. We put ourselves in those positions. We knew that we were at fault and obviously, we knew they were not going to quit, so we had to step it up.

“Just having the confidence in each other knowing, knowing we’re not going to quit.”

On the Knicks’ fourth-quarter performance in the comeback effort:

“Just staying focused, sticking together.

“After I came out, the bench sparked us. And then able to finish it out.

“You can’t dwell on what’s happened during the game. You just gotta adjust to it.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s minus-14 in eight minutes committing four fouls:

“I respect it. He came in there, and he came with great energy—I’m not even trying to be funny.

“It’s really tough when you don’t know when your number is going to be called and you come and try to impact the game. And he did.

“Loved his energy, loved what he did. Proud of him.”

Josh Hart

On the Knicks’ growth as a team:

“I think we’re learning each other. We’re continuing to grow. We’ve got great character guys, high character guys, we’re unselfish.

“We know at the end of the game, make sure—close game, one possession game—we’re confident.”

On the Knicks’ win over Houston:

“That was a great win for us. Just because a lot of things weren’t going our way the first three quarters and we didn’t let that affect us.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s effort:

“Great energy. I think that was the biggest thing.

“Obviously, he’s young, the flow of the game was different than what he’s used to. He gave us great energy, good minutes.

“He used his fouls—he’s got six of them—and he was making sure he’s going to use them. Nah, great energy for us.”

On the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade:

“I think everybody was in awe, shocked. Got to give credit to [Lakers president of basketball operations] Rob Pelinka, man—highway robbery. Good for them.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the Knicks’ statement win against a bonafide Western Conference contender in the Rockets:

“We’ve been told we haven’t got any statement wins––so we found a way in front of our fans to get some.”

Mitchell Robinson

On receiving good news about his rehab:

“Yessssirrrr now that was some great news !!!!”

On his subsequent contact-allowed injury update:

“Hell yeah !!!! That’s what I’m talking about baby.”

Precious Achiuwa

On adapting to a new role while OG remains out:

“I’m Precious Achiuwa. Just being able to play my game, really. I’m a winner.

“Just play my game, I’m not going to be OG. We have different styles of play.

“For me, it’s just doing the things I know I’m elite at and continuing to do that.”

On dealing with athletic, physical teams such as Houston:

“As the season’s gone on, we’ve been able to handle those types of teams. Young, athletic teams that don’t really shoot it too well but just go downhill.

“That just goes to show that we continue to get better and better as the season goes on.”

Mikal Bridges

On the Knicks’ recent strong performances:

“I think we’re just learning. More time together. And also learn from other teams and picking up habits.”

On Brunson’s fourth-quarter explosion:

“Yeah man, when we need it he’s always gonna be there and do that. They gonna keep letting him play 1-on-1.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks Player)

On European stars joining big markets:

“Now that a European will be the face of the Lakers, this is something new for Europe. I love it.

“You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers. I want [Nikola] Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets.”