Do Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks Have a Minutes Problem
The Knicks face concerns over player fatigue and injuries as key players log heavy minutes this season
New York, Knicks, Tom Thibodeau, NBA, Injuries, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson
New York: The Knicks have been on a bit of a rollercoaster lately. After a hot streak of nine wins, they hit a snag with back-to-back losses. It’s like they were running on fumes without their starters, and you could see it in their play.
Fans shouldn’t panic just yet, but there’s definitely some worry brewing. With key players logging heavy minutes, it’s hard not to think about the injury history of Tom Thibodeau’s teams. It’s a bit concerning, right?
Thibodeau has always been about winning now, often relying on a tight rotation. This year, though, the bench is looking a bit thin, which means the starters are shouldering even more of the load.
Speaking of minutes, the Knicks have some of the top players in the league for that stat. Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are leading the pack, with Jalen Brunson not far behind. It’s wild to think they’ve played almost 200 more minutes than any other lineup!
And it’s not just about minutes; Bridges is also running more miles than anyone else in the league. It’s impressive but also a bit scary when you think about the toll it can take.
Now, the Knicks have been pretty lucky with injuries so far, but that doesn’t mean they’re in the clear. Fatigue is a real issue, and we’ve already seen some players dealing with minor injuries. It’s like a ticking time bomb.
Even Karl-Anthony Towns mentioned feeling “exhausted” after a recent game. The numbers back it up too; the starters are doing well in the first three quarters but struggle in the fourth. It’s like they run out of gas when it matters most.
They’ve also been missing their sixth man, Miles McBride, who usually brings solid minutes off the bench. His absence is definitely felt, and getting him back could help ease the burden on the starters.
Plus, Precious Achiuwa just returned from injury, which is a boost for the frontcourt. But with McBride out, the Knicks have only had a handful of games with their best bench players. It’s a tough spot.
Landry Shamet is another player who’s been in and out due to injury. He’s just getting back into the swing of things, but the Knicks need him to stay healthy to help out.
With a few players returning, there’s hope for some relief for the starters. But it’s clear that the depth is pretty shaky. If a couple of key guys go down, the Knicks could be in trouble.
Finding a fix isn’t as easy as just pointing out the problem. The Knicks don’t have a lot of wiggle room, and if their bench players were good enough, Thibodeau would have already used them more.
They’ve got some rookies who’ve stepped up, but they’re still learning the ropes. There are also some G League options, but it’s a gamble to rely on them in crucial moments.
Trading for help is tricky too. The Knicks are pretty limited in what they can do, and the free-agent market isn’t looking too promising. They might have to get creative if they want to make a move.
It’s a tough situation, and while they could trade Robinson for some depth, it’s a risky play. He’s valuable when healthy, so moving him for short-term relief might not be the best idea.
For now, it looks like the Knicks will ride it out and hope for better health as the season goes on. They’ve got a solid core, but they need to figure out how to manage minutes without burning out their stars.
This is definitely a storyline to keep an eye on as the season unfolds. Will it just be background noise, or could it derail their chances of success? Only time will tell!