CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Knicks’ Game 3 comeback against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals provided more than just an exciting playoff moment — it offered a potential blueprint for Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson as he prepares for his second season at the helm.
In the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands broke down how Tom Thibodeau’s adjustments, both planned and forced by circumstance, could serve as valuable lessons for Atkinson and the Cavaliers’ playoff approach going forward.
“Thibs was forced into the situation in part to being down 2-0,” Sands explained. “With their backs against the wall and making a lineup change to begin the contest to try something different, starting with Mitchell Robinson instead of Josh Hart, to give the Pacers a different look.”
This willingness to adjust starting lineups represents a flexibility that Atkinson could adopt, particularly after Cleveland’s playoff struggles against the Pacers.
The Cavaliers, who were known for their depth throughout the regular season, at times appeared rigid in their rotations when facing adversity in the playoffs, something that may need to change for future success.
Even more telling was how Thibodeau managed when star point guard Jalen Brunson found himself in foul trouble, forcing the notoriously stubborn coach to trust his bench in critical moments.
“With Brunson on the bench, it allowed Tom Thibodeau to play a better defender, in Deuce McBride to slow down the Pacers transition offense and have to play in the half court, which is more difficult for them than having their flowing offense,” Sands noted.
The result was striking. Bench players like Miles “Deuce” McBride stepped up in crucial moments, the Knicks held the high-scoring Pacers to just 42 points in the second half, and New York mounted a 20-point comeback to take Game 3.
For the Cavaliers, who have often been criticized for overreliance on stars like Donovan Mitchell in playoff scenarios, this approach could be transformative.
Mitchell, like Brunson, occasionally needs strategic rest — whether due to fatigue, foul trouble, or to create different defensive matchups.
The similarities between the Knicks and Cavaliers run deeper than might appear at first glance.
Both teams have emphasized continuity and chemistry as core values, with Brunson himself highlighting how the Knicks are built on continuity. The Cavaliers have similarly invested in building a cohesive core around Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
However, while the regular season is important for establishing those connections, playoff basketball demands adaptability. Thibodeau, despite his reputation for over-scripted rotations and heavy minutes for starters, showed that even the most set-in-their-ways coaches can evolve when circumstances demand it.
As Sands pointed out, sometimes “different lineups work better than your normal rotations and can ignite a run because the opposing team is not necessarily prepared for that lineup.”
With Eastern Conference rivals like Boston, New York, and Indiana showing no signs of slowing down, Atkinson’s ability to incorporate these lessons into the Cavaliers’ approach could be the difference between another early playoff exit and the deep run Cleveland fans are craving.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
_Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from the Cleveland Wine and Gold Talk Podcast by cleveland.com. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions._