Former Wizards Making Surprising Impact in Conference Finals

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau isn't known for delving deep into his stockpile of bench players.

Unlike series rival Rick Carlisle, who mans the versatile Indiana Pacers on the other side of the Eastern Conference Finals, Thibodeau occasionally seems reluctant to play anyone outside of his top five or six guys.

Everyone thought they had his tried-and-true game plan all figured out, but he made several tweaks to his usual rotation that raised eyebrows and ultimately contributed to the Knicks winning their first game of the series.

He cut the series deficit to 2-1 by utilizing their bench more than he usually would between several adjustments. Some, like benching wing Josh Hart for guaranteed size and rebounding in Mitchell Robinson, were within his control, but Jalen Brunson's foul accumulation was not.

Thibodeau had to fill the guard minutes with some less familiar faces in a big spot, introducing several former Washington Wizards into the chaos.

Landry Shamet and Delon Wright each made a few fringe-rotation appearances throughout the Knicks' ongoing run to the conference finals as shooters and hustle defenders, injecting energy when New York needed it with spot minutes in Game 3 on Sunday. They each made a shot last night, bridging the gap in the middle of the game and easing the minutes burden usually placed on the starters.