Knicks healthy with something to prove ahead of playoffs

Hours before the game the Boston Celtics injury report was like reading a listing of the roster. Every starter was on the report and throw in a key reserve for fun. It seemed as if they might field a skeleton crew on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden with the season winding down.

The Celtics playoff positioning is secure and perhaps they didn’t want to provide a scouting report for the Knicks, who could face them in the second round of the playoffs if both advance.

But shortly before game time the updates came and every member of the Celtics other than Al Horford was upgraded to available and it became clear that the Celtics, like the Knicks, don’t give away any nights. For the Knicks, who entered the night with three one-sided losses to Boston and an 0-8 record against the class of the NBA, it meant that there would be no easy confidence booster before the postseason.

And maybe they don’t want any charity, instead intent on proving themselves against the best challenge that the opposition can line up against them. The Knicks rarely have had an opportunity this season to put their whole roster on the floor ahead of the postseason. So these final games mean something to them no matter who is lined up against them.

“Winning always matters,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s the next game and that’s what you have to focus in on. What goes into winning, prepare yourself for the game and then be ready to go

“Everything does matter. Whatever your circumstances are you want to take advantage of that. When you go into the games, you don’t know who’s playing and not playing so you have to prepare for everybody. I think it’s you want to go through [to] the finish line whatever that is. You want to play your best going in.”

The Knicks might be, having just gotten Jalen Brunson back after a 15-game absence with a sprained ankle and Deuce McBride also returned Sunday after missing eight games with a groin strain. While those players have to work their way into form, the absence provided an opportunity for others to find their rhythm.

OG Anunoby has shown the full offensive arsenal that had only been hinted at this season while Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have provided scoring punch in Brunson’s absence.

“He’s been playing unbelievable these past couple of weeks,” Brunson said of Anunoby. “All season, but he really stepped up recently and he’s just doing what he does. That’s what we expect of him. Everyone knew what he could do defensively. Offensively I think he’s taken a step forward just the way he’s been playing. He’s always had that and I think he’s been showcasing it.”

“It’s good to have everyone back and it gives us a chance to build some rhythm,” Thibodeau said. “That’s the challenge of every season for every team. You don’t know how it unfolds with injuries and things of that nature, so when one guy goes out, it’s an opportunity for another guy to get in there and get the job done. But it also gives you time to build chemistry with those guys.”

Still, as much as the Knicks may focus on themselves, getting a win over Boston or Cleveland in this final week of the season — particularly against a full squad like they faced Tuesday — would provide a confidence boost ahead of the playoffs.

“I think each game tells you something,” Thibodeau said. “It tells you the things you are doing well and the things you need to work on. And then you just try for that improvement each and every day and you want to take it all the way through. You don’t’ want to let up and keep improving. Whoever is available just get in there and get the job done and keep improving.”

Notes & quotes: By playing Tuesday Brunson now needs to play in two of the last three games to qualify for most of the NBA awards (MVP, All-NBA). The Clutch Player of the Year Award does not have a minimum game requirement.