Knicks Shake Up Starting Lineup in Game 3 as Season Hangs in the Balance

INDIANAPOLIS — Down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals and facing elimination pressure, the New York Knicks made a bold move ahead of Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers. Head coach Tom Thibodeau inserted Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup, giving the team a fresh look as it seeks to spark a turnaround.

This marks Robinson’s first start of the 2025 postseason and only his fourth since returning in February from offseason ankle surgery. His inclusion came at the expense of do-it-all forward Josh Hart, ending Hart’s impressive streak of 140 consecutive starts.

But Hart took the change in stride.

“I’ve been the 15th man, the sixth man — I’ve done it all,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game. “I feel like I’m a starter, but if Coach makes the call, I’m all in. I can’t preach sacrifice and then get upset when I’m asked to make one. That’s not who I am.”

Thibodeau Breaks From Tradition

The shake-up represents a significant departure from Thibodeau’s typical approach. All season long, he’s leaned heavily on a consistent starting five — Hart, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges — more than any coach in the league. But after getting outscored by 13 points in 17 minutes with that lineup in Game 2, change was overdue.

The numbers tell the story: Since January 1, that core group has been outscored by 59 points across 687 minutes. In just two games against the Pacers, they’re minus-29 in 43 minutes on the floor — allowing Indiana to score a blistering 155.1 points per 100 possessions.

When asked about the ongoing struggles, Thibodeau kept it short.
“Yeah, we just gotta keep looking at it. Gotta do better.”

And when pressed further about lineup changes after falling behind 2-0, his answer was blunt:
“We always look at everything.”

Robinson-Towns Combo Brings New Energy

Thibodeau ultimately went with a “double-big” look, pairing Towns and Robinson to try and dominate the boards and disrupt Indiana’s offense.

Robinson has averaged modest numbers in the playoffs — 4.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 19.5 minutes — but his impact is undeniable. When he and Towns are on the floor together, the Knicks are +27 in just 106 minutes, thanks largely to their defensive pressure and ability to crash the offensive glass. In fact, New York has recovered an eye-popping 41.5% of its own misses when that duo shares the court.

“Robinson’s a major factor,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “He gives them defensive versatility, especially with his ability to switch onto smaller players. He creates extra possessions, and he even knocked down free throws when it mattered in the Boston series. We’ve been preparing for him.”

Hart: It’s All About Energy

Regardless of who’s starting, Hart believes what the Knicks need most isn’t just a tactical shift — it’s a change in mindset.

“We need something drastic in terms of our energy, effort, and competitiveness,” Hart said. “You can’t have lapses, especially at the start. If you let a team like Indiana — as talented as they are offensively — get comfortable early, you’re playing catch-up. The biggest adjustment we can make is bringing intensity from the jump.”

Bottom Line:

With their backs against the wall, the Knicks are betting on fresh legs and tougher defense to get back into the series. Whether the lineup change pays off remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear — the urgency is real, and Game 3 could define their postseason fate.