The New York Knicks’ 109-108 defeat in Game 3 has led to a massive meltdown in the Big Apple, with fingers starting to be pointed at people in the organization. It was once again CJ McCollum, who proved to be the villain, as his game-winner could not be countered due to the Knicks’ poor execution on the last play. This has led to criticism being thrown at coach Mike Brown for the players he had on the court for the fourth quarter.
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Mike Brown’s friction with Karl-Anthony Towns is already public. However, Mitchell Robinson’s camp has now joined the noise. His trainer, Marcell Scott, took to Instagram, calling Brown “scared” and too soft for the job. He also questioned rotations, especially the choice to sit both bigs instead of pairing Towns and Robinson together.
Scott shared an IG Story: “Knicks Coach Mike Brown is SCARED to get mad!!! He’s too nice of a guy to coach the New York Knicks!!! He would rather play OG at the 5, instead of Kat and Mitch at the 4 and 5. Nice guys finish last, Coach! GN.”
Mitchell Robinson’s trainer Marcell Scott on IG:
Now, let’s understand what triggered Robinson’s trainer to blast the New York Knicks‘ HC in such a manner. The team lost by a single point for the second game in a row. Mike Brown leaned on Miles McBride late, leaving Mikal Bridges out after a 0-point night. However, what seemed to affect his trainer most was how Brown doubled down on ultra-small lineups, with OG Anunoby and Josh Hart acting as the frontcourt.
Both of these are high-energy players, but this took away size at the worst moments. Against a physical opponent, that gamble felt risky. And eventually, it stung.
Robinson logged only 11 minutes in Game 3, producing 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. This came after he exploded for 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 18 minutes, numbers that meant he was leading the scorers off the bench. Across the series, Robinson has averaged 6.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 14.7 minutes. Those numbers scream impact, especially on defense, where his presence disrupts everything.
With the Knicks trailing 1-2, Brown would have to look at tweaking the lineup by pairing Karl-Anthony Towns with Robinson, as that could tilt the rebounding battle by a strong margin. According to their stats from the 2025-26 season, the pair grab between 18 and 20 rebounds per game between themselves, which could prove to be a great advantage against the Hawks, who have 6-foot-10 Onyeka Okongwu playing center for them.
Game 4 now feels like the tipping point, especially with the threat of a 3-1 hole looming. Surprisingly, Mike Brown didn’t seem very fazed after the Knicks’ loss on Thursday.
Coach Brown’s message after the New York Knicks fell 1-2 to the Atlanta Hawks
“I told them it’s a seven-game series for a reason. Stuff is going to happen. There are plenty of teams that have been 1-2. I even think OKC was down 1-2 last year,” Mike Brown said after the 108-109 loss. “I’m not saying we’re going to win it, but you take one game at a time. This should sting because we gave ourselves a chance despite not playing our best basketball.”
New York needs sharper ball movement and a smarter way to break through Atlanta’s defense. Coach Brown could tweak the starting five to test new combinations. Next up: Game 4 on April 25, and it will be a decisive one to see where the team goes.
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Apr 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown looks on during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith warned the Knicks and Mike Brown before the series began. He expressed his fear and frustration. He didn’t mince words to predict the head coach and team’s future if they lose to the Hawks. “Mike Brown is going as the head coach. Karl-Anthony Towns, likely Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, and who knows who else is going. That’s the bottom line. It’s just that simple,” Smith said.
So now everything depends on how the New York Knicks collect themselves before Game 4. Moreover, the head coach will have to make lineup shifts and check which combination works best for a win. He surely has a recipe for success. It’s just not hitting the right spot for now.
