The New York Knicks suffered a 117-107 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sparking discussions about the team’s rotations and overall performance. Former NBA coach and analyst Sam Mitchell weighed in on the Knicks’ struggles, specifically pointing out head coach Tom
Knicks’ rotation struggles
Thibodeau’s tight rotation as a key issue. Despite standout performances from stars like Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 44 points and 16 rebounds, Mitchell highlighted the lack of bench contributions as a recurring problem.
Jalen Brunson delivered a strong first half but faltered late in the game, often isolating himself rather than involving teammates. This lack of ball movement compounded the Knicks’ struggles against the Thunder’s relentless pace, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder exploited mismatches and took advantage of the Knicks’ stagnant offensive execution in the second half.
Mitchell criticized the Knicks’ over-reliance on a few core players, which resulted in fatigue and inefficiency in critical moments. He emphasized the importance of incorporating more bench players to provide depth and alleviate the burden on the starting lineup. Key reserves like Immanuel Quickley and Isaiah Hartenstein played limited minutes despite showing flashes of potential.
The Knicks’ defensive lapses were also evident, as they struggled to contain the Thunder’s perimeter shooting and transition offense. Oklahoma City’s young core, including Chet Holmgren, capitalized on these weaknesses to secure their 14th consecutive victory.
Looking ahead, Mitchell urged Thibodeau to make adjustments to prevent overworking his starters and maximize the team’s talent pool. The Knicks must address these issues quickly, with tougher matchups looming on their schedule.
