The New York Knicks were aware of their limited lineup flexibility heading into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indiana Pacers, with their unusually deep rotation that regularly featured double-digit contributors in crucial games, contrasted sharply with the Knicks, who leaned heavily on their starters more than any other playoff team. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, known for heavily relying on his key players, depended on Second Team All-NBA member Jalen Brunson to deliver in critical moments.
Thibodeau chose to rest Brunson for the clutch, starting the fourth quarter with backup point guard Cameron Payne. The Pacers capitalized on this, surging ahead and securing a lead they maintained throughout. In a bitter irony, they mirrored the Knicks’ Game 1 comeback but held firm without faltering.
As the Pacers pulled further ahead, confusion spread among spectators, including Brunson and former NBA players familiar with Thibodeau’s style. Isaiah Thomas, a former Boston Celtics star and one-time MVP candidate, criticized Thibodeau’s rigid approach, which backfired in the critical moment.
Isaiah Thomas, now a journeyman after his All-Star days, isn’t off-base in highlighting the recurring shortcomings of Tom Thibodeau’s teams. Whether or not the blame falls on Thibodeau, this is his first Conference Finals appearance in nearly 15 years, despite holding head coaching roles for most of that time. The Pacers secured a 114-109 victory, taking a 2-0 series lead as they head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a chance to close it out at home. Thibodeau will face scrutiny for losing control until his Knicks can reclaim some momentum in the series.
SOURCE: SI.COM
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