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Mitchell Robinson Likely to Start Game 3; Josh Hart to the Bench
Knicks news: CP The Fanchise first to report a starting lineup change.
Knicks Fan TV & Jalen Martin
May 25th, 2025
Thumbnail: Gamba The Bard (@GambatheBard on X)
REPORT: The New York Knicks, down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, are strongly considering a change to replace Josh Hart with center Mitchell Robinson in the starting lineup. On Saturday night, KFTV’s CP The Fanchise was first to report on the strong potential for a change.
Hearing a starting lineup change is strongly being considered for Game 3. Stay tuned........
— CP "The Fanchise" (@CPTheFanchise)
1:04 AM • May 25, 2025
SNY’s Ian Begley later confirmed the news.
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. My man @CPTheFanchise said earlier that NYK was strongly considering a change ahead of G3. NYK starting lineup is -50 in
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley)
2:23 AM • May 25, 2025
As mentioned above, the Knicks’ core starting five has been one of their worst playoff lineups despite its continuity, leading the entire NBA in minutes played together during the regular season (970).
Since the start of 2025, fans have pointed out that the Brunson-Hart-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns lineup tends to fall behind at the start of halves, while units with at least one of Deuce McBride or Mitchell Robinson have flourished during these three playoff rounds.
It remains unclear why Tom Thibodeau chose now, down 0-2, to make the move. Throughout his Knicks tenure, he has routinely defended lineup decisions by citing ‘the numbers.’
Tom Thibodeau was asked about the discontent coming from Evan Fournier:
"I have great respect for him... With the next group that went in, it's hard to argue with a with a 37-22 record and a plus five net rating."
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks)
2:40 PM • Oct 2, 2023
Well, the Knicks’ starting lineup, to this point, has a -9.5 net rating in the playoffs.
The potential new unit with Mitchell Robinson, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns has played just nine total minutes together since Robinson returned from injury this season.
The hope is that the double-big approach will overwhelm Indiana on the glass while providing enough rim protection to stabilize New York’s defense. But the Pacers, led by coach Rick Carlisle, have shown a strong counter by forcing the Knicks’ centers out of the paint with perimeter shooting threats.
The Knicks have their back against the walls. Will this long-awaited change be enough?
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