Knicks Bulletin: ‘It’s stupid, and it’s pissing me off talking about it now’

New York earns back-to-back wins and a saucy matchup next Saturday.

Playing back-to-back games ending in back-to-back wins is what the Knicks just did after beating Houston on Monday and doing the same to Toronto on Tuesday, final score of 121-115.

New York flew north of the border to face the lowly-but-surging Raptors and completed the quest of beating the Ovos for the eighth consecutive time, sweeping both last and this year’s in-season series.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few Knickerbockers had to say before and after yesterday’s affair.

Tom Thibodeau

On Jalen Brunson’s confidence and his “clutch gene”:

“I think confidence comes from your preparation. And his ability to get to the spots on the floor that he wants to get to, he’s not relying on strictly athleticism although he’s more athletic than people realize, he’s stronger than people realize. But he changes speeds extremely well and he’s got a great base.

“When he takes a shot, his balance is terrific. He can get to the spots he wants to get to. He’s not afraid, but I think that’s probably the biggest thing.

“I think the confidence is a byproduct of his work.”

On the Raptors’ comeback against the Knicks:

“I thought we played well in the first half, had the big lead, and then we didn’t have the same intensity defensively to start the third. They caught us with some threes, made up some ground quickly.

“I thought the [hustle points] were the difference in the game. You need easy baskets, whether they come in transition.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s situation and return:

“It’s good to have him cleared for contact and then you have to see how he responds to contact the day after the contact.

“But he’s doing great. He’s champing at the bit. So you just have to go step by step.”

On OG Anunoby’s status:

“Day to day, you see each day how he responds.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the Knicks’ win against the Raptors:

“They fought back. They hit shots, too, when they had to hit shots, so credit to them. Shout-out to our team. Again, just finding a way to win and fighting through all the adversity.”

On Jalen Brunson’s performance:

“That’s what he does, man. Get to watch his show on the court. That’s the best seat in the house.

“When you get to see [Brunson] do what he does, it’s a special thing.”

Josh Hart

On the Knicks’ fourth-quarter, Brunson-led rally against the Rockets:

“I think it was like 106–100 at one point, they were up and we felt good. We get two stops this is our game. He’s one of those guys where if the game’s close, one-possession game, or tie game, or if you’re up a possession, you’re fully confident with the ball in his hand.

“He’s going to make the right play whether that’s a shot, get to the line or he’s going to be unselfish and set his teammate up.”

Jalen Brunson

On what’s behind his clutch ability:

“Confidence. Because if I fail, you learn from it. Very confident in situations, and it’s something I had to learn from a young age and not be afraid to fail.”

On his parents’ influence:

“[My mother] keeps me focused, she keeps me grounded. My dad pushed me to be the best player I can be.

“So they evened it out.”

On his struggles from the charity stripe:

“I get a little pissed off about it.

“It’s stupid. And it’s pissing me off talking about it now.”

On hitting 2-of-8 freebies on Tuesday and shooting 81.3 percent from the line this season:

“It sucks. The ball’s not going in. No different routine. I just have to be better focused at the free-throw line.

“It’s pissing me the hell off. I’m not going to lie. I’m going to go in and make a couple hundred this week.”

Ariel Hukporti

On Knicks owner James Dolan visiting the locker room after the win over Houston:

“I was actually quite surprised because he never actually comes. I was quite surprised, but it was good to hear from him. It’s extra motivation. He’s paying attention to the little stuff.”

On Dolan’s message to him:

“[Dolan] said, ‘Oh yeah, you got playing time today. You did a great job.’

“He just told me to keep working and keep trusting. I’m glad that he gave me an opportunity to play for the Knicks.”

On learning from his struggles and adapting to the NBA:

“It was good, it was good. I mean, I caught a couple fouls. I’m still learning the NBA game, taking my time, learning a lot from Precious and KAT.

“Just trying to defensively just trying to help everybody, you know what I’m saying? Just trying to be there. But I still got to read the game a little better.

“I feel like the more I see them play, and the more I play, I learn more as well. I take it step by step.

“If the opportunity comes, I’m gonna take it. If not, I’m gonna learn from it.”

Stephen A. Smith (TV Personality)

On why LeBron James should request a trade to the Knicks:

“I’d go to Rich Paul and tell him I will waive my no-trade clause for one of two teams. It will either be to join Steph Curry in Golden State or go to New York with the Knicks.

“Now, the Knicks would be more difficult because they traded away five first-round picks to get Mikal Bridges. I love Bridges, but damn, five first-round picks—but I’m not going to belabor that, they did what they did.

“Obviously, they have a bunch of assets and clearly, the Lakers are in need of them.”