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[Saba Sports News] New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau added some playful fuel to the fire ahead of his team’s Eastern Conference semifinal showdown with the Boston Celtics.
Speaking at a press conference Monday before Game 1 at TD Garden, Thibodeau had high praise for the Celtics organization—but couldn’t resist slipping in a lighthearted jab. “The only hole in the franchise is Scalabrine,” he joked, referencing former Celtics player and current team broadcaster Brian Scalabrine.
While clearly meant in good fun, the dig caught some off guard—though Scalabrine, a beloved fan favorite during his five-year stint in Boston, is no stranger to being the butt of friendly fire. Now a familiar voice on Celtics broadcasts, he’s often the subject of jokes, and this one likely won’t faze him.
The Celtics enter the series as favorites in their quest to repeat as NBA champions, while the Knicks appear to be embracing the underdog role—complete with some good-natured trash talk. Thibodeau’s jab was more humor than hostility, but it definitely added a little extra spice to the series opener.