Knicks’ starting five have struggled as a unit

The Knicks’ starting five continued to have problems as a unit in the heartbreaking opener of the Eastern Conference finals. 

The quintet of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were outscored by 16 points in the time they shared the floor together and had an ugly 167.4 defensive rating in Wednesday’s 138-135 overtime loss to Indiana. 

It is the continuation of a postseason-long trend. In 13 playoff games spanning 292 minutes, that lineup has a minus-8.0 NET rating, meaning it has been outscored by 8.0 points per 100 possessions. It also has a 116.5 defensive rating in the playoffs. The Pacers’ starting five, by contrast, has a plus-19.3 NET rating in 182 minutes and a defensive rating of 105.5. 

The two Knicks with the highest NET rating are, in fact, top reserves Mitchell Robinson (plus-8.4) and Miles McBride (plus-8.3), two of their best defenders. McBride was a team-high plus-12 in 25 minutes on Wednesday, as the Knicks dropped Game 1 and blew a 14-point lead in the final 2:59 regulation.

Asked about potentially changing up his starters, coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t sound like he was planning to make an adjustment. 

“You look at everything. Everything’s always on the table,” he said. “You do what you think gives you the best chance to win. You also need players that are effective with the bench unit and then what starters are you gonna play with the bench unit. So I think it’s twofold.”

The Knicks starters, looking on dejectedly after their Game 5 loss to the Celtics. have struggled as a unit throughout these playoffs. Cam Payne (center) also pictured. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

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The Knicks starters didn’t begin the series opener well, allowing the Pacers to score on their first eight offensive possessions.

Plus, when the Knicks created separation in the fourth quarter, Brunson and Bridges were on the bench. 

“Obviously, it starts with being ready to go in the beginning of the game,” Brunson said. “The first seven, eight possessions don’t help us from that number standpoint. But I have the utmost faith in these guys. Whatever all that stuff says, it’s great and all, but I have the utmost faith in these guys.”