Sunday’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies carried some special significance for New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale.
In what was Fizdale’s first game back in Memphis since being fired by the Grizzlies, the Knicks came out on top by the final of 103-98. After the contest, Fizdale’s players gave him a surprise celebratory ice bath, and it led to the veteran coach getting a little emotional.
“My suit is ruined,” said Fizdale, per the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy. “Emmanuel [Mudiay] came up to me, him and Tim [Hardaway Jr.) both, were just hugging me and telling me it was for me. And then they all came in and I lost it [crying].”
“I know I took it personal,” Mudiay was also quoted as saying. “Actually all of us took it personal. We wanted to come out here and get a win for him.”
Fizdale served as Grizzlies head coach for two seasons from 2016 until his sudden dismissal 19 games into the 2017-18 campaign. He then took the rest of the year off before signing a four-year deal to coach the Knicks last May.
The 44-year-old coach had some memorable moments in Memphis, but the revenge factor had to make his return on Sunday that much sweeter.
