It was a frustrating night all around for the Knicks on Friday.

New York dropped their second game in a row on this three-game road trip, but their loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday night seemed to be demoralizing in some respects. The Knicks played arguably their worst quarter all season in the second, scoring just 15 points. Despite that, they cut the deficit to just six points in the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback.

Friday’s game was ugly and physical, with both teams getting to the line a combined 69 times. Orlando shot 40 free throws, the third time the Magic have taken 40-plus free throws this season, and the Knicks made 30 personal fouls to Orlando’s 20.

It was one of those nights, and the frustration spilled into the postgame news conference with head coach Tom Thibodeau.

“It wasn't an easy game, because there was a physicality to the first half that was different,” he said of the loss. “And then, in the second half, I didn't know what a foul was.”

Thibodeau expounded on why he believes the Knicks ultimately lost. While the team shot poorly -- 44 percent from the field and just 20 percent from three (6-for-30) -- he believes the lack of rebounding and defense did them in. The Magic outrebounded New York, 49-40.

The Knicks coach was then asked about Jalen Brunson getting to the line 12 times on Friday and that sent Thibodeau over the edge.

“What this guy's going through is ridiculous. Ridiculous,” Thibodeau said cutting the question off. “To get hammered time after time, and I'm just getting sick and tired of it. I watch it, I send it in, I see it all. They’re fouls. It’s plain and simple, they're fouls and there's no other way to say it except that they’re fouls."

Thibodeau continued, “No one drives the ball more to the rim than this guy does. And if you rake across his arm you rake across his arm, if you hit them in the head you hit them in the head. Those are fouls. Those are fouls. Sick and tired of it. Sick and tired of it.”

He then left the postgame without taking another question.

Brunson did go to the line 12 times -- making all 12 free throws -- but it seemed he possibly should have gotten to the free-throw line more in the game.

The Knicks point guard, after a slow first half, really pushed the pace in the fourth quarter to help lead the comeback with Julius Randle. Brunson finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

He was asked about the physicality of Friday’s game a couple of times after the game but refused to comment.

RJ Barrett, who scored 19 points and went to the free-throw line five times, did comment on the physicality of the game.

“Two physical teams going at it. We have to adjust earlier to how the game was. It’ll put us in a better position,” he said. “It’s a very physical game, it was physical both ways and they came out with the win. Some plays you’re frustrated with on both ends… At the end of the day it’s our job to find a way to win. You have to find a way to win at the end of the day.”

Now at 17-14, the Knicks look to end their skid and finish their three-game road trip on a high note. It won’t be easy, though, as they’ll take on the high-scoring Indiana Pacers in the second of a back-to-back on Saturday night.

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