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Tom Thibodeau explains 'coach's decision' to not use key timeout to sub in Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart in Game 5 loss

David Suggs

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Tom Thibodeau explains 'coach's decision' to not use key timeout to sub in Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart in Game 5 loss image

The Pistons and Knicks' Game 5 matchup came down to fine margins. Given the nature of their first-round series thus far, that wasn't much of a surprise.

Detroit and New York clashed like rams beneath the glimmering Madison Square Garden lights. Ultimately, the joust was decided by late-game execution: the Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham's fourth-quarter flourish, secured a 106-103 win to pull one game closer to their adversary.

It was a contest shaped by timely baskets. It was also marked by curious substitutions — or lack thereof.

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As the clock dwindled down and Detroit's late-game advantage bloomed, New York was struck down by not one but two temporary absences. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart sat on the bench after appearing to sustain injuries with a little less than three minutes left in the fourth.

Brunson and Hart were eventually deemed healthy enough to check back into the spectacle, but when they did, there were just 30 seconds left for the Knicks to work with.

With that, here's what you need to know about head Tom Thibodeau's decision to sit on his last timeout — and deprive New York of much-needed production from Brunson and Hart.

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Why Tom Thibodeau saved final timeout vs. Pistons in Game 5

Thibodeau's squad was left without two of its most important players after Brunson and Hart were felled by injuries on the same play with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter.

The Villanova products were subsequently replaced by Miles McBride and Cameron Payne. When they came out of the game, New York was down two. When they returned, the Pistons' advantage had swelled to six with precious little time left.

More puzzling was that for 2:10, Brunson and Hart were standing at the scorer's table, waiting to reenter the contest. Thibodeau opted against using his final timeout until there were just 27.1 seconds left despite the McBride- and Payne-led unit struggling to produce much on either end of the floor.

Thibodeau had to have assumed a stoppage — be that through a foul, turnover, or clock malfunction — was on the horizon. Or perhaps he thought that the Knicks would find more success with their backup guards in the lineup.

Regardless, Thibodeau's move — or lack thereof — came into sharp focus after New York's three-point loss.

Thibodeau explained his thought process as the match wore on with Brunson and Hart on the bench while speaking with reporters postgame.

"Just where we were with our timeouts, coach's decision," Thibodeau said. "You look at time, score, penalty, timeouts, all of the above. What's happening in the game, do you feel like the next possession will put it away. There's a lot that goes into it."

Brunson reiterated his belief in his teammates despite the circumstances of Tuesday's defeat.

"It's tough but I have the utmost faith, regardless of the result, in my teammates," Brunson said. "No matter who's out there, trust, faith, belief, all that, I'll always have that with my teammates."

Jalen Brunson injury update

Brunson appeared to have injured his right ankle after landing awkwardly while attempting to contest a Cunningham pass with three minutes left in the fourth.

Brunson's had some trouble with his right ankle in recent months. He missed 15 games after spraining that joint, only returning to the lineup on April 6. He was also temporarily felled by an injury to the same part of his body during Game 4, but he returned to lead New York to a win.

Josh Hart injury update

Hart crumbled to the ground after landing awkwardly following a collision with Cunningham late in the fourth.

The 30-year-old wing attempted to get up on his feet but soon returned to the floor. He was eventually helped up by his teammates. After a brief spell on the sidelines, Hart was taken to the locker room, but he returned to the floor a few moments later.

Hart told reporters that he went back into the locker room to "regroup and walk off" his ailment. He didn't reveal the nature of his injury nor which part of his body it impacted, however.

"My whole body's bothering me," Hart said.

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.