Knicks Starters Face Crucial Test in Close-Out Game

The New York Knicks’ starting lineup faces a pivotal challenge in Game 6 as they attempt to eliminate the defending champion Boston Celtics and advance to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. Despite holding a 3-2 series lead, the Knicks’ starting unit has struggled offensively, scoring just 100.9 points per 100 possessions in their 107 minutes together during this series, according to The New York Times.

This offensive inefficiency has been largely masked by their ability to execute in clutch moments, but after a dominant Boston performance in Game 5 without injured star Jayson Tatum, the pressure falls on New York’s first unit to deliver a complete performance on their home court.

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Shooting Struggles Beyond Brunson

While All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson continues to shoulder a massive offensive burden, averaging 29.4 points and 7.8 assists in the postseason, his supporting cast has struggled with consistency. As highlighted by NBA.com, the Knicks’ other starters have combined for an effective field goal percentage of just 46.7% in the series against Boston.

Most concerning has been the perimeter shooting of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, who have connected on just 8-of-37 (22%) from three-point range. OG Anunoby has similarly struggled inside the arc, shooting just 10-for-31 (32%) on two-point attempts. These efficiency issues were magnified in Game 5, when Bridges and Anunoby combined to shoot an abysmal 5-for-26 from the field in the 127-102 loss.

Clutch-Time Excellence

Despite their overall offensive inefficiency, the Knicks have built their 3-2 series lead largely on their exceptional performance in close games. They’ve consistently demonstrated poise in pressure situations, erasing significant deficits in all three of their victories against the Celtics, who have led by at least 14 points in every game of the series.

“I think it’s been a big help that we’ve gone through a lot of fire,” backup guard Deuce McBride told ESPN. “We walk through it together, and we come out of it on the other side with a win.” This resilience has become the team’s identity under coach Tom Thibodeau, particularly when they can keep contests close entering the fourth quarter.

Defensive Identity

While the Knicks’ starting lineup has underperformed offensively, their defensive prowess has been integral to their success. The wing tandem of Bridges and Anunoby, in particular, has excelled as defensive stoppers, especially in late-game situations when matched up against Boston’s perimeter threats.

Through the first four games of the series, the Celtics had shot just 13% (3-for-23) with more turnovers than baskets in 14 minutes of clutch time. Boston, which relies heavily on three-point shooting, connected on only one of 11 attempts from beyond the arc in those scenarios, a testament to New York’s perimeter defense.

Minutes Concerns

The heavy workload for New York’s starters has become a frequent topic of discussion throughout the playoffs. Coach Thibodeau’s rotation decisions have drawn scrutiny, as his starting five has played together more than any other unit in the NBA this season, according to league tracking data.

This approach has allowed the group to develop exceptional chemistry, particularly in high-leverage situations. However, it also raises questions about potential fatigue as the series extends, especially against a deeper Celtics team that demonstrated remarkable depth in their Game 5 victory without Tatum.

Game 6 Outlook

As the series returns to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks posted a 27-14 regular-season record, New York hopes that the home court advantage will help their starters regain offensive efficiency. The Celtics, despite being without their best player, showed in Game 5 that they remain dangerous, with Derrick White (34 points), Jaylen Brown (26 points, 12 assists), and their supporting cast capable of delivering championship-level performances.

For the Knicks to avoid a return trip to Boston for Game 7, they’ll need more balanced scoring from their starting unit to complement Brunson’s production. Towns, who has recorded four double-doubles in the series, will be particularly important as a secondary scoring option and rebounding presence against a Celtics team that has outscored New York by 35 points across the five games despite trailing in the series.