Coach Tom Thibodeau has a reliable rotation heading into this NBA Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers. It largely consists of the Villanova alums Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. However, there are key pieces that this squad will need to win over the Tyrese Haliburton-led team. One of them is an elite rim protector who can also set solid screens and rebound the ball fairly well. But, it looks like they will miss that archetype of a player due to Mitchell Robinson's injury.
The Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson in Game 2 of this Knicks vs. Pacers NBA Playoffs clash, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. He has been ruled out due to left ankle injury management. The decision could have been made by Coach Tom Thibodeau and the rest of the Jalen Brunson-led Knicks because they saw how badly the big man struggled to keep up with the Pacers on both sides of the floor.
Mitchell Robinson got to play 12 minutes against the Pacers. He hobbled and could not defend on drop coverage against guys like Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton. Moreover, Myles Turner also gave him a headache on the floor which prompted Coach Tom Thibodeau to pull him out of the game immediately.
The Knicks' big man could not produce much numbers in Game 1 of their clash in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. He only totaled two points and dropped a single assist on the offensive end. This was rounded out by his two rebounds which were fairly underwhelming.
He will now be replaced by Precious Achiuwa. Isaiah Hartenstein might also be called on to play more minutes after this tough injury management call.
Knicks beat out the Pacers
It was a good start to this NBA Playoffs series. Jalen Brunson once again popped off. The Knicks' superstar guard knocked down 14 out of his 26 field goal attempts and went a perfect 14 for 14 on his free throws. These all totaled to a game-leading 43 points. His ability to pick apart the Pacers' defense was impeccable and not a single defender could stop him from getting to his spot.
Josh Hart was the other big factor in this NBA Playoffs win. Despite playing a whopping 48 minutes, he notched an insane double-double. He finished the game with 24 points alongside 13 rebounds. Only two assists kept him short of a triple-double in this matchup too.
The last big factor in the Knicks' triumph over the Pacers was Donte DiVincenzo. This elite shooter notched 25 points while playing 44 minutes. He also got three rebounds and an assist.
All of these individuals will be ready to step up in hopes of getting the Knicks back to the Eastern Conference Finals. Will they be able to do it?
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