Why the Knicks’ Starting Lineup Is Holding Back Their NBA Championship Dreams

The New York Knicks have faced challenges in the playoffs that are hard to ignore. Despite the individual talents of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, the team hasn’t gelled effectively on the court. Communication is vital in basketball, and without it, the team has struggled, especially during crucial games.

Recently, they lost their second game in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, falling behind 2-0 in the series. The starters, who were expected to shine, have actually been a liability. They’ve had a tough time clicking together, posting a minus-29 rating in just two games. This poor performance means that they’ve lost both games by a narrow margin of eight points combined.

Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledges the need to assess the lineup, especially since the starters have been consistently outperformed throughout earlier playoff rounds. In fact, they were outscored by a staggering 21 points across the first two playoff series against Detroit and Boston.

Defensively, the Knicks have struggled. Their starting five has a defensive rating of 117.6, which ranks last among their playoff lineups. For context, the Phoenix Suns, who weren’t known for their defense, had a similar rating of 117.7 during the regular season. In both games against the Pacers, poor communication led to significant breakdowns, making it easier for Indiana to exploit their weaknesses.

As Brunson noted, it’s critical for the team to come together. Every player recognizes that they’re in a high-stakes situation. Towns emphasized the need for discipline and execution, while Hart admitted that the team must find ways to spark their performance.

Some recent statistics show that New York’s best lineup features Brunson, McBride, Bridges, Anunoby, and Robinson, boasting a strong net rating of 34.3. This raises the question of whether it’s time for Thibodeau to rethink his starting lineup to include this more effective combination.

The Knicks have put themselves in this predicament before. In past playoff seasons, similar patterns of slow starts and poor performances have been evident. However, this year carries weight, especially with the stakes being so high. The decision now lies with the coaching staff: stick with the underperforming lineup or make the tough call to bring in players who have proven to create better chemistry on the court.

The players understand this is a crucial moment for the franchise. With their playoff run at risk, it’s now or never for the Knicks to transform into the team they were meant to be. The questions loom: Can they bounce back? Will they find the spark necessary for a championship chase? Only time will tell.



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New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, NBA