The current situation for the New York Knicks is alarming, particularly when examining the statistics from their recent playoff series against the Celtics. The numbers reveal a significant problem: the Knicks’ starting lineup, consisting of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, is underperforming dramatically. In the first three games of their second-round series, this five-man unit has been outscored by a staggering 29 points. This performance sets them apart as the worst-performing group in the series, with no other lineup exhibiting a deficit greater than minus-7.
Josh Hart, one of the key players, highlighted a critical issue that the team has faced: “I think a big part of that is how we’re starting games and starting the second half,” he remarked. The Knicks have consistently struggled to impose their will early in games. This challenge was also evident in their previous series against Detroit, where they failed to maintain leads in the opening minutes of the second half. Hart emphasized the need for his team to approach games with “more sense of urgency, more desperation, more competitiveness” to set the right tone for the match.
When the Knicks' starting five are on the court together, they have only managed to shoot a dismal 37.0 percent from the field and an even poorer 23.8 percent from beyond the arc. Compounding their struggles, the team has recorded more turnovers (22) than assists (21), underscoring a lack of cohesion and execution that is critical in playoff situations.
Interestingly, the Knicks' most effective lineup has emerged when Mitchell Robinson replaces Karl-Anthony Towns. In the 14 minutes that Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, and Robinson have played together, they have outscored the Celtics by nine points. This statistic suggests that Coach Tom Thibodeau might consider starting Robinson alongside the other four players to enhance their performance. Doing so could also prevent the Celtics from exploiting Towns' weaknesses and would allow the Knicks to enter the bonus quickly in the quarter.
Despite the evident benefits of such a strategic shift, it appears unlikely that Thibodeau will make this change to the starting lineup. Therefore, the responsibility falls on the usual starting five to turn things around. Throughout the postseason, the team has spoken about the importance of starting games with energy, yet actual results have not reflected these discussions. As they prepare for Game 4, Hart reiterated the seriousness of the situation: “It’s the playoffs. What we did last game wasn’t acceptable. We have to come out with that sense of urgency.”
As the Knicks look ahead to their next game, the players are aware that actions must align with their words. The stakes are high, and with the series hanging in the balance, the team must find a way to harness their potential and perform under pressure. Monday night’s Game 4 will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of their playoff journey.
