NBA Hall of Famer questions heavy Knicks playoff workloads

New York Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Hall of Famer questions Knicks longevity in face of high playoff workloads

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/10/24

The New York Knicks could potentially make the Eastern Conference Finals. They have won the first two games of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers. However, OG Anunoby will miss Game 3 against the Pacers due to a calf strain.

During a recent appearance on "Undisputed," former NBA champion Paul Pierce noted how the Knicks could begin to crack under Tom Thibodeau's heavy workloads and usage rates.

"It looks like a wear and tear of the minutes they're playing and the fatigue in the muscles," Pierce said. "...When I saw Anunoby, who was clearly on a breakaway. He stopped. It was like a fatigue of the muscle...I really do think it has a factor in all of this...They're probably the most injured team in the NBA right now. ... He runs them to the ground in the games, in practice."

"They're probably the most injured team in the NBA right now. ... [Coach Thibs] runs them to the ground in the games, in practice."

Paul Pierce sounded OFF on Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau ️

(via @undisputed)pic.twitter.com/XtCCMQjbN5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 9, 2024

In addition to Anunoby, Jalen Brunson could also miss Game 3. He is dealing with a hamstring injury. With the Knicks' two best players potentially on the injury report and Julius Randle out for the remainder of the season, Thibodeau's minutes management has fallen under increasing scrutiny. He has stuck to a seven-man rotation during the postseason, with some of his stars averaging close to 40 minutes per night.

Thibodeau trusts his shortened rotation. If Randle was healthy, he would likely have gone eight deep. The players he has given minutes to have all earned their spots. Because of those players and the high minutes, the Knicks are on the cusp of making the conference finals.

If Anunoby and Brunson miss more than one game, though, all eyes will be on Thibodeau for how he approached this postseason. Yes, his methods lead to winning, but they also risk injury. There needs to be a middle ground that protects his players and gives the Knicks a chance of success. Whether Thibodeau can find that middle ground this postseason or needs the summer to figure it out could dictate how much further the Knicks can go in the playoffs.

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