Tom Thibodeau’s affinity for Taj Gibson is well known, and his desire to bring back the center didn’t need to be said.
“Do you have to ask?” the coach said.
Gibson played the final game of his 10-day contract on Thursday and conventional wisdom suggests the Knicks will re-up for a second one before Saturday’s game against the Pacers.
“It’s obvious. He’s been terrific,” Thibodeau added. “On any team, at any time, he’s a great addition. So I’m hopeful. Leon [Rose] will get everything and we’ll always do what’s best for the team. But everyone in the organization loves him and has an appreciation for him.”
Plus, the Knicks need bodies with so many players carrying injuries, with starting center Isaiah Hartenstein becoming the latest after aggravating his left Achilles in Thursday’s 122-108 loss to the Mavericks.
“Very good observation,” Thibodeau said.
Gibson went scoreless in 22 minutes Thursday but was a team-high plus-8.
The Garden crowd also appreciates Gibson’s presence, chanting his name regularly.
“It’s inspiring,” Gibson said. “Being a vet in this league, understanding that I’m not in my prime anymore, and I’m trying to do whatever I can do to help a team, and it feels good to see the crowd understand that. This is a basketball city, so just being Taj, man. Nothing’s gonna change.”
Gibson can sign a second 10-day contract but then the Knicks would have to decide whether to keep him for the rest of the season or waive him.
It would be a poorly timed deal if signed before Saturday because it would span the All-Star break.
Gibson signed earlier in the season but was cut before the contract guarantee date.
“Of course [I want to come back], of course,” Gibson said. “But like I said before, the staff, management, they’ve been good to me. They don’t owe me anything. That’s family, and it’s a blessing. I don’t take it for granted, just to get those phone calls while I’m at home working out, it’s a blessing. Like I said before, I’m appreciative of the opportunity, and this is a great team. So it’s family no matter what.”
Jalen Brunson was labeled “day-to-day” by Thibodeau before sitting out Thursday’s game.
A source said he avoided a serious sprain when his ankle bent in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s victory over the Grizzlies.
Josh Hart said he hyperextended his knee Tuesday but was one of the Knicks available against the Mavs.
“I’m tired, boss. That’s how I’m feeling,” said Hart, who is on a six-game streak of playing 37 minutes or more. “But nah, I’m cool. Knee is good. It was just [Miles McBride] trying to take a charge or something and he fell into it, so it kinda hyperextended for a second but it’s good.”
Thibodeau is hopeful to have new acquisitions Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic available for Saturday’s game against Indiana but warned it’s pending physicals.
“We’re hopeful that’s the case but they have to be cleared with physicals and the guys that went out [to Detroit in the trade] have to also,” Thibodeau said.
