“Hamstring, hamstring, hamstring, knees, knees. They must have a deal with a doctor! What is going on?” That was Channing Frye on NBA TV in early March, throwing up his hands in frustration over the New York Knicks’ recurring injury woes. To Frye — a former NBA champion turned analyst — the culprit is clear: head coach Tom Thibodeau and his notoriously heavy reliance on his starters. “The Knicks have all the talent in the world… Give them a chance to be great,” he further added. And that sentiment has echoed louder as the postseason grinds on. After the Knicks’ rollercoaster Game 3 win over Indiana, Charles Barkley added his voice to the critique—in classic Chuck fashion.

Not mincing his words when criticizing Tom Thibodeau’s rotation decisions, he remarked, “What the hell’s up with Thibs? The bench won y’all the game… Does he ever explain ‘I’m gonna play guys, not gonna play guys’? Gotta admit it’s wacky.”

Barkley also flagged Thibodeau’s choice to start Mitchell Robinson over Josh Hart, warning it risked defensive mismatches and could slow the team’s pace. His skepticism highlights the ongoing debate over Thibodeau’s sometimes puzzling game management.

But Knicks star Jalen Brunson quickly stepped up to defend his coach and the team’s unity. “I got the utmost faith [in Thibs],” Brunson said. “Regardless of… respectfully, whatever you guys say, we’re a close-knit group in that locker room.” That comment spoke volumes about the trust within the squad, even amid external criticism.

The first three quarters were rough. Karl-Anthony Towns got into early foul trouble, picking up four and scoring just four points. Mitchell Robinson had similar issues. Jalen Brunson struggled too, shooting 6-for-18 and racking up four fouls by the third.

Everything changed in the fourth. Towns exploded for 20 points in the final frame. He set a franchise playoff record with 24 in the quarter and finished with 15 rebounds. Jalen Brunson, despite his shooting struggles, was perfect from the free-throw line, making all 10 attempts and finishing with 23 points.

The Knicks’ bench was equally vital. They outperformed Indiana’s reserves and sparked a 36-20 run in the final period. Defensive intensity and hustle plays from players like Josh Hart helped hold the Pacers to just 20 points in the fourth. As Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said, “They come in and wreak havoc. The bench mob stopped us in the second half.”

Will Thibodeau Stick With the Double-Big Lineup — and Does Jalen Brunson’s Faith Buy Him Time?

Before the game, Tom Thibodeau explained his thinking behind the lineup changes: “Every player possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, so sometimes you consider the impact one might have on a specific unit. But there’s also a ripple effect… I assess groupings and mix and match to leverage everyone’s strengths and weaknesses to optimize the team’s performance. Everything is always on the table.”

After the game, Thibodeau said it plainly: “The bench gave us a huge lift.” That summed up the double-big dilemma. The lineup brings rebounding and rim protection. But it struggles with quicker guards. And foul trouble often disrupts rotations.

The numbers tell the story. When Robinson and Towns share the floor, the Knicks crash the offensive glass hard, grabbing 41.5% of their misses. Opponents shoot under 42% in those stretches. Still, the Pacers have found cracks. They target switches to expose Towns’ perimeter defense. And Robinson’s offensive limitations make it easier to defend the lineup.

With analysts like Barkley and Kenny Smith calling the setup “wacky,” and with Knicks starters being outscored by 81 points in the playoffs before Game 3, Thibodeau is under pressure to shake things up. Still, his willingness to insert a ninth man like Landry Shamet shows he’s at least open to some flexibility.

The bottom line is that the double-big look is a calculated gamble. It’s dominating in certain areas, but the cracks are showing. Whether Thibodeau sticks with it or adjusts could very well decide the series.