New York Knicks players held multiple players-only meetings throughout their playoff run, according to Fred Katz and James L. Edwards of The Athletic.
While it is not uncommon for players to hold meetings without coaches, the amoumnt of meetings that were held was considered rare.
P.J. Tucker organized a players-only meeting after the Knicks lost to the Celtics by 25 points in Game 5 of the first round. The meeting centered around players not taking the elimination game seriously enough.
There was an initial discussion of whether to add a player who could contribute on the court as the 15th player on the roster before the Knicks added a veteran in Tucker to improve communication within the team.
The Knicks held another players-only meeting during the Pacers series, which they lost in six games.
There was tension within the team throughout the season, with Mikal Bridges saying he was playing too many minutes back in March.
Sources add that the comments rubbed the coaching staff the wrong way.
