The New York Knicks are on the verge of winning the franchise’s first NBA championship in over 50 years as they hold a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and with the next two games on their home court. And a big reason why the Knicks have been so strong during the playoffs is by utilizing their bench, something former coach Tom Thibodeau failed to do, as per Vincent Goodwill of ESPN.
One of the biggest moments during the Knicks’ run to the NBA Finals came in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers when backup guard Landry Shamet hit a game-tying 3-point shot in Game 1, a game the Knicks would eventually go on to win.
“They 29-year-old journeyman’s expanded role was one of the final pieces to the puzzle that New York couldn’t solve in its previous two playoffs under former coach Tom Thibodeau, when the Knicks’ starters were run ragged throughout stalled trips to the conference semifinals in 2024 and East finals in 2025,” Goodwill reports. “But under coach Mike Brown, New York has leaned on its bench more than it ever did with Thibodeau.”
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In addition to Shamet, the Knicks have gotten strong contributions off the bench from Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado. After the Knicks took a 2-0 lead in the Finals, Brown praised Robinson for his defense on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
The Knicks’ depth has shined all season with Brown making it a point to keep the starters minutes lower than in previous seasons. If the Knicks to go on to win the title this year, their bench is going to be a key reason why.
The New York Knicks are on the verge of winning the franchise’s first NBA championship in over 50 years as they hold a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and with the next two games on their home court. And a big reason why the Knicks have been so strong during the playoffs is by utilizing their bench, something former coach Tom Thibodeau failed to do, as per Vincent Goodwill of ESPN.