How the Knicks’ playoff rotation is likely to shake out
NY Post
The playoffs are exactly a month away, and it’s a good time to send a reminder that rotations will be tightened.
We’re about to experience our first series under coach Mike Brown, but judging by his previous stint in Sacramento, a rotation of 8 ½ is the expectation. That’s pretty standard. The Pacers successfully went deeper a year ago, and maybe the Knicks will try to incorporate more reserves because they have capable players and it worked for the 2025 NBA finalists.
After all, the Pacers beat the Knicks, in part, because they had fresher legs.
But for the sake of this article, let’s assume eight players averaging at least 10 minutes per contest. The rest will plug smaller holes.
And let’s also assume the starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns — remains intact for the playoffs. There are concerns now about the way the Knicks are slogging through first quarters, but the plan is to stick with that lineup until it gives Brown more reasons to make a change.
With that, here’s a look at the bench candidates with their chances of holding a playoff rotation spot:
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — With the Rangers hovering over the bottom of the NHL standings, it’s easy to root for whatever outcome would most likely lead to general manager Chris Drury announcing Gavin McKenna’s name on the draft stage at KeyBank Center in Buffalo this June.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — When the Rangers started the 2025-26 season, Noah Laba and Matthew Robertson were the only first-year players on the Opening Night roster.
SALT LAKE CITY — It’s easy to forget about the quiet, which in Knicks World means Leon Rose. We’re approaching five years — amazingly — since the team president answered questions from the independent media, and I’ve always maintained that’s poor practice because it avoids responsibility. If there’s no public explanation behind a move or a goal, there’s no accountability if it doesn’t work out.
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets’ 2025 failing (one of them anyway) might be their big strength now.
The discourse has gone on for two seasons now. But it doesn’t exactly match reality.
Where were the grownups for Team USA?
The Rangers reconvened after the Olympic stoppage wanting to find some successful combinations that had been largely absent through much of a disappointing last-place season.
SALT LAKE CITY — There was no sugarcoating an ugly first-half performance from the Knicks in the locker room, and the harsh words during the break helped spur a comeback in Wednesday’s 134-117 victory over the Jazz.
Team USA’s fate is out of its hands.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jasson Domínguez’s first-inning at-bat against Tanner Banks on Tuesday featured a different result and a different swing than “The Martian” had been accustomed to against lefty pitching.
Maxx Crosby isn’t looking in the rearview after a wild 24 hours.
Bam Adebayo occupies a new spot in the NBA history books.
Jets fans have been waiting for months to put the 2025 season in the past and start building a new roster.