The New York Knicks have had an impressive season, reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in over two decades. They won 51 games, their best season in 25 years. Two of their players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, made it to the All-NBA team. This is a big deal for the Knicks, as it's only happened five times in their history. The team has shown great potential, but there's a big problem: their starting lineup.

The Knicks' starting five have played more minutes than any other lineup in the NBA this season. This shows how much their coach, Tom Thibodeau, trusts them. However, their performance has been a concern. They have been outscored in most of their games this season. This trend continued in the playoffs, including their recent loss to the Pacers.

In the first game of the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks' starters struggled. They were outscored by 16 points in just 26 minutes. This pattern continued in the second game, where they were outscored by 29 points in 43 minutes. Towns admitted that they need to be more disciplined and execute better. Thibodeau, however, has been reluctant to make changes.

The Pacers took advantage of the Knicks' slow start. They scored 19 points in the first 6 1/2 minutes, while the Knicks managed only 9. Thibodeau made some substitutions, bringing in Robinson and McBride, which helped the Knicks. But when he put the starting five back in, the Pacers scored 15 points in a row, taking the lead. The Knicks tried to fight back, but the Pacers' defense was too strong.

The fourth quarter was crucial. The Pacers targeted Towns and Robinson, using pick-and-rolls to create open shots. The Knicks struggled to defend against this strategy. Thibodeau made some substitutions, but it was too late. The Pacers won the game, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Knicks need to figure out why they keep starting slow. Bridges suggested it might be a defensive issue. He thinks they need to be more physical from the start. Thibodeau, however, focused on the end of the game, saying they need to make better plays. The Knicks have a tough challenge ahead. They need to find a way to turn things around if they want to make it to the NBA finals.

Knicks' Starting Five: Time for a Change?

Actions