The New York Knicks are facing a tough challenge in their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. In the first three games, the Knicks’ starting lineup, which includes Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, has struggled significantly. When this group is on the court together, they have been outscored by 29 points, which is the worst performance of any five-man unit in the series.
The numbers tell a clear story. This starting group has played a total of 68 minutes but is shooting just 37% from the field and an alarming 23.8% from three-point range. They also have more turnovers than assists, with 22 turnovers compared to 21 assists. No other lineup has performed as poorly, with the next closest being a minus-7.
Josh Hart pointed out that their slow starts have been a major issue. He noted that they need to impose their will at the beginning of games and after halftime, mentioning how they’ve allowed leads to slip away in the past. He emphasized the need for more urgency and competitiveness to set the tone.
In contrast, the Knicks have found success with a different lineup. When Mitchell Robinson replaces Towns, the team has outscored the Celtics by nine points in just 14 minutes together. This suggests that Robinson’s presence could make a difference in the starting unit’s effectiveness.
The coaching staff might want to consider starting Robinson to maximize this successful combination. His inclusion could also prevent the Celtics from exploiting the Knicks’ weaknesses early in the game, especially with fouls.
As the Knicks prepare for Game 4, the pressure is on. Hart acknowledged that their last game was not acceptable and stressed the importance of coming out with the right mindset. He believes that the players need to dig deep and show their heart to turn the tide in this series.
With the stakes high, the Knicks will need to find a way to rally and perform better if they want to stay competitive against the Celtics. The upcoming game will be crucial, and fans are hopeful that the team can make the necessary adjustments to avoid further struggles.