In the world of basketball, if the game were simply about statistics on paper, the New York Knicks would have been an easy pick for world champions this season. With star players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, it’s hard to find a more talented starting lineup in the league. However, the reality of basketball is that it is played on the court—a place where communication and teamwork are just as crucial as individual scoring prowess.
As the Knicks continue their journey this postseason, their aspirations of becoming champions are still alive—though they will need to execute their best strategies yet. Unfortunately, the team suffered a setback, losing their second game in the Eastern Conference finals to the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 114-109 at Madison Square Garden. This loss puts the Knicks in a challenging position, trailing 0-2 in the series.
The main concern for the Knicks is clear: their starting unit has been underperforming, and that’s putting it mildly. Throughout the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, this group has shown alarming weaknesses, with a combined minus-29 rating. The Knicks lost the first two games by a mere total of eight points, highlighting how crucial every player’s performance is at this stage.
Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We always look at everything,” when questioned about potential changes to the starting lineup following Friday’s loss. This issue is not new; the Knicks’ starting group had previously been outscored by 21 points in their initial two series against the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics.
During the regular season, the Knicks’ starters had a net rating of minus-1.4 and were outscored by 9 points in 379 minutes of play together. The current postseason performance against the Pacers has been particularly demoralizing, with the starting unit displaying a defensive rating of 117.6, the worst among five lineups that have played at least 30 minutes together.
Defensive lapses—such as poor communication and blown coverages—are becoming too frequent for a team that achieved 50 wins in the regular season. The Pacers have capitalized on these mental mistakes, forcing the Knicks into unfavorable positions throughout both games of the series. As Brunson pointed out, “We’re in the conference finals. Nothing else matters right now,” emphasizing the importance of mental focus during high-stakes moments.
The Knicks' starters faced a harsh reality in Game 2, playing just 16 minutes together and ending with a minus-13 rating. In the previous game, which went into overtime, they were marked at minus-16 in 26 minutes. The statistical evidence suggests a change in the starting lineup might be necessary. The Knicks’ most effective unit this postseason features Brunson, McBride, Bridges, Anunoby, and Robinson, showcasing a remarkable net rating of 34.3 in 34 minutes together.
While the analytics and visual observations indicate that the Knicks perform better with Robinson and/or McBride alongside several starters, coach Thibodeau faces a dilemma. The best version of the Knicks should ideally consist of their five most talented players, including Towns, an All-NBA talent. It poses a tough choice for Thibodeau to bench key players who have contributed significantly to the team’s success.
The Knicks won 51 games during the regular season and reached the Eastern Conference finals with their current starting unit, despite its flaws. However, as the team stands on the brink of elimination, it may be time for tough decisions to be made and for players to reflect on their commitment to securing a championship opportunity. The current performance of the Knicks’ starters is clearly not yielding results, and with their playoff hopes on the line, significant adjustments may be necessary moving forward.
As the Knicks prepare for their next matchup, the focus will be on overcoming these challenges and rediscovering the synergy that can propel them toward success. The basketball world will be watching closely to see how New York responds and whether they can turn their postseason fortunes around.
