Tom Thibodeau doesn’t believe the new pope means his Knicks are now destined to win it all.
But he does think that Cardinal Robert Frances Prevost, a Villanova alum and Chicago native, being voted in as the first pope from the United States is helpful for his three former Villanova stars, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts against the Boston Celtics. Getty Images
“Yeah, now they can be forgiven for their sins,” the Knicks’ coach joked.
Brunson, the team’s superstar guard who has led them to a 2-0 series lead over the heavily favored Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, was thrilled to hear about the news.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, left, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, appears with, from left, Vatican Master of Liturgical Celebrations Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Cardinal Vinko Puljić on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. AP“Really cool. I’m just happy that we’re getting noticed for being a good school,” said Brunson, who won two national championships at Villanova.
Brunson has never met the new pope, and didn’t have any idea he was in the running for the prestigious honor.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after hitting a three-point shot. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post“I knew that I was focusing on the game on Saturday,” Brunson said. “It’s really cool for him and I’m very happy for him, but I’m focused right now.”
Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t listed on the Celtics injury report, a positive sign for the 7-foot-2 center who has been dealing with an illness.
The former Knick missed eight games in March with an upper respiratory illness and said Wednesday he wasn’t over the issue.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
- https://nypost.com/2025/05/30/sports/jalen-brunson-has-chance-to-correct-his-biggest-knicks-mistake/Knicks demolished in second half as dream season ends with dud
- https://nypost.com/2025/05/30/sports/knicks-must-keep-defensive-heat-on-tyrese-haliburton/https://nypost.com/2025/05/31/sports/timothee-chalamet-kylie-jenner-take-in-knicks-pacers-game-6/Knicks’ Game 6 report card: Everyone came up short in season-ending loss
- Bondy: The Knicks didn’t get close to enough from their two biggest stars
- Vaccaro: Knicks have so much to regret — and so much to fix after Pacers heartbreak
Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.
Porzingis has logged just 27 minutes in the series and has been mostly ineffective, scoring just eight points.
He had been a Knicks killer since joining the Celtics, averaging 22.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in seven regular-season games against his old team.
Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket as Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics defends and draws a foul during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostAfter Game 2, Porzingis said his energy has been lacking and he wasn’t feeling right. He came off the bench in the contest after starting the series opener.
“He had the illness and he has the effects of that illness with his fatigue and his breathing,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Friday on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub. “And he’s doing everything he can to give us what he has. It’s an illness and what’s impacted is his fatigue and his breathing. So he’s just working through those things.”
The Celtics listed reserve forward Sam Hauser (sprained right ankle) as doubtful. He missed Game 2.
