Knicks Playoff Rotation Revealed: Did Mike Brown Tip His Hand?

Mike Brown may have tipped his hand about the Knicks playoff rotation after Friday’s blowout of the Chicago Bulls. New York won 136-96 without Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was ruled out at game time with a right elbow injury.

Friday’s lineup and coach’s rationale

Brown held Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Mohamed Diawara out until garbage time. For Alvarado, it was the first game since his trade where he did not play in the first half. Brown said he wanted to audition Landry Shamet and Miles McBride as the backup point guards.

He noted Shamet and McBride are getting healthier. Brown also praised Alvarado’s contributions, but said he needs to find minutes for all guards.

Starter stability and performance

The expected starting five is Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. That quintet has logged the third-most minutes of any NBA lineup this season.

The unit carries a plus-0.7 net rating this year. Last season, the same group had a plus-3.3 net rating while logging the most minutes in the league.

How that stacks up

By comparison, several other teams’ starting lineups have far stronger net ratings. Charlotte’s starters sit at plus-27.8. Atlanta’s are plus-23.9. Detroit’s are plus-11.8. Those figures highlight how the Knicks’ starting five has underperformed relative to expectations.

Will Brown make a change?

Brown has suggested changes before but kept the starters intact. With only four regular-season games remaining, a switch seems unlikely.

All four remaining opponents are postseason-caliber teams. If the starters struggle again against Atlanta on Monday, a change between that game and the Thursday meeting with Boston is possible. The team would then have a few days before the postseason begins.

Projected Game 1 rotation

Many coaches run eight or nine players in the playoffs. The expected core for Game 1 looks small and defined. The likely rotation: Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Towns, Shamet, McBride and Mitchell Robinson.

Jordan Clarkson appears positioned to be the first reserve off the bench. His recent stretch has included improved defense and aggressive offensive rebounding.

Roles for Alvarado, Diawara and Sochan

Jose Alvarado offers defensive energy and pace in transition. His three-point shooting has lagged since the trade, and half-court reads remain a work in progress. That may limit him to a specialist, low-minute role early in the postseason.

Rookie Mohamed Diawara has been a pleasant surprise. He looks situational and matchup-dependent. Jeremy Sochan falls into a similar category as a depth piece to be used when needed.

The playoffs are nearly here. Filmogaz.com will monitor rotations and report how Mike Brown finalizes his postseason plan for New York.