Knicks considering major change for Sunday’s must-win Game 3

There is little room for error for the New York Knicks as they prepare for Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, a must-win in their quest to reach the NBA Finals.

The Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years but have fallen short in their first two games. No team has ever come back to win from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game playoff series.

Heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3, head coach Tom Thibodeau is reportedly considering a big change to the team.

ESPN reports that Thibodeau may bring center Mitchell Robinson into the starting five, taking the place of Josh Hart on the court.

Thibodeau is famed for his lack of personnel changes and has been remarkably consistent in his selections all season. If he alters the team on Sunday it will be the first time this season that he has chosen to deviate from the normal five of Hart, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. The only other changes have been due to availability or fitness.

Thibodeau’s relentless approach to team selection has brought criticism in the past but he has insisted that it’s the most logical way to set up the team. He has repeatedly claimed that he key players feature for similar minutes as other stars.

“If you look at Jalen [Brunson] and [Karl-Anthony Towns], their minutes are what other the main players are,” Thibodeau said. “The wings are different. OG [Anunoby] is at 36 [minutes]. Mikal [Bridges] is the highest, and Josh [Hart’s] are high as well. Both of those guys can handle minutes, and they want the minutes.”

“If they can handle the minutes, give it to them. If they can’t, cut it back,” he continued.

However as the unit that starting five has had more action than any other team’s starting group. So far those five have played a league-high 914 minutes together. If they make it to the Finals, they will be the first team since the 1987 Boston Celtics to lead the NBA for starters’ minutes and still make it to the championship series.

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