The New York Knicks are contemplating a shift in their starting lineup for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, potentially replacing Josh Hart with Mitchell Robinson. Ian Begley reports that the current starting combination has underperformed, highlighted by a -50 net rating in the postseason. Robinson’s rebounding capability and size could offer a significant advantage against Indiana’s frontcourt, particularly in handling Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam. The adjustment aims to address scoring issues and improve overall team performance after a tough first two games of the series.
Hearing the Game 3 lineup change being strongly considered by the Knicks is to move Mitchell Robinson to starting lineup and have Josh Hart come off the bench. NYK starting lineup is -50 in the postseason and -29 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana has a 2-0 series lead and will host the Knicks on Sunday. Based on where things stand currently, Robinson will be starting in that game.
That starting five-Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Hart-has played more minutes than any other unit in the league this year. That said, it's been a consistent net negative, including being outscored by 29 points in 43 minutes against Indiana across the first two games of the ECF.
Robinson, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs, could bring a different dynamic to the best Knicks players with his size and rebounding, and his impact, albeit in smaller sample sizes, has been notable.
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