Where Do Knicks Struggle Statistically?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 9:22 PM ET

It's all cheers in the Empire State as the New York Knicks hold the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combine for 49.8 points, indicating a successful summer for the Knicks front office. However, a glaring statistic reveals a major Knicks' flaw in an otherwise joyous season.

The Knicks rank third in the Eastern Conference thanks to their 16-10 record. Their starters average a combined 97.9 points per contest. Unfortunately, New York head coach Tom Thibodeau has regressed to his vintage, playing-starters-dangerously-too-much philosophy for the 2024-25 season.

According to NBA.com's database, the Knicks' bench logs 60.9 minutes per game, which is the lowest in the league and, even worse, the least amount of any team in 19 seasons.

Due to Mitchell Robinson's absence from ankle surgery recovery and Isaiah Hartenstein's signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Knicks took a hit regarding their depth.

Miles McBride is the only Knicks bench player contributing over 20 minutes per game. The backup guard averages 10.4 points on 42 percent shooting from 3 for the 2024-25 season.

Yet, despite such a positive production from McBride, the rest of the Knicks bench can't stay on the court long enough to matter.

While many Knicks fans will argue Thibodeau should play rookie point guard Tyler Kolek more, as he showcased worth during the preseason, in light of the tight race in the Eastern Conference, the veteran coach is going with what works.

Until Robinson returns, and perhaps the Knicks make a small trade, expect their starters to carry the load at a possibly costly rate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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