The New York Knicks secured a crucial 106-100 victory against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, thanks to coach Tom Thibodeau’s decision to expand his bench rotation. Breaking away from his usual eight-man rotation, Thibodeau inserted Landry Shamet as the ninth player, providing much-needed support to the starters and ultimately cutting the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1.
Former NBA star and current Inside the NBA co-host, Kenny Smith, expressed surprise at Thibodeau’s adjustment, stating, “Thibodeau wouldn’t play nine guys in a baseball game. I’m surprised! I’m surprised that he has done that.” Thibodeau’s tendency to stick with a short rotation in the playoffs has been a point of contention over the years, but his willingness to shake things up paid off in Game 3.
In the previous losses to the Pacers, Thibodeau leaned on players like Mitchell Robinson, Cameron Payne, and Miles McBride to spell the starters. However, only Robinson and McBride were averaging over 10 minutes per game in the series. The introduction of Shamet in Game 3 provided a new dynamic to the Knicks’ lineup, prompting Thibodeau to potentially continue with the expanded rotation in Game 4.
One notable change in Thibodeau’s lineup was the decision to move Josh Hart to the bench in favor of starting Mitchell Robinson. Hart, who had been struggling offensively in the series, saw his role reduced while Robinson took on the shooting guard position. Although the Knicks initially struggled with this adjustment, falling behind in the first half, they found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, with Hart playing a pivotal role in the comeback win.
Thibodeau’s willingness to adapt and experiment with his lineup showcased his strategic flexibility and paid dividends in a crucial game for the Knicks. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how Thibodeau continues to utilize his bench and adjust his rotations to counter the Pacers’ tactics.
In conclusion, the Knicks’ Game 3 victory highlighted the importance of a deep bench and strategic coaching decisions in the high-stakes playoffs. Thibodeau’s bold move to expand his rotation could be a game-changer for the Knicks as they look to even the series and advance to the NBA Finals.
