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Ignore the box score: Landry Shamet is making a huge impact

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Kenny Kluska | Last updated May 30, 2025 11:10 PM ET

During the offseason, the New York Knicks signed but then waived guard Landry Shamet. The 28-year-old would not be ready for the start of the regular season due to a shoulder injury sustained in the preseason. The team brought back the 28-year-old once he was close to being able to play, and he made his regular season debut on December 23.

While Shamet began the postseason in the Knicks rotation, he quickly was taken out. After Game 3 of the opening round, he didn’t appear in seven of the next 11 outings, and only really saw garbage time in the ones he did play in. With New York down 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, Shamet found his way back in the rotation. The Knicks are 2-1 since he was reinserted, and while he hasn’t put up gaudy numbers, he certainly has made an impact.

Landry Shamet made a big impact in Game 5

Facing an elimination game on Thursday, the Knicks were able to extend the series to at least a Game 6. They defeated the Indiana Pacers by the score of 111-94, allowing them an opportunity to even the series at three games apiece on Saturday.

In the victory, Shamet played a 2025 postseason high of 14:14. Again, the box score numbers don’t stand out. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard finished the game with five points on 2-3 shooting (1-2 on three-point tries), a rebound and a steal. His impact was truly felt on the defensive end.

Early in the fourth quarter, he was able to get his fingers on an inside pass to Myles Turner. The Knicks gained possession due to Shamet forcing a turnover. Shortly after, Shamet forced another turnover by putting the clamps on T.J. McConnell under the rim as McConnell lost the ball out of bounds. Shamet celebrated the moment by hyping up the Madison Square Garden faithful.

Re-entered the rotation in Game 3

In Game 5, New York was a +4 with Shamet on the court. Each of the three games since he has found his way back in the rotation, the Knicks have outscored the Pacers with him on the court. In Game 3, New York outscored Indiana by 12 in the 11:23 Shamet played. While they lost Game 4, Shamet finished as a +6 in his 11:09 of action.

In Games 3 and 4, Shamet wasn’t mighty productive either. He combined for six points (on two three-pointers) to go along with two rebounds and five assists. Just like in Thursday’s win, his impact went far beyond the box score.

Shamet hasn’t been the only one that was inserted into the rotation starting with Game 3. Delon Wright, acquired at the trade deadline, also began seeing meaningful playoff minutes as well. Much like Shamet, the box score doesn’t show much, but the 33-year-old has also made his mark on the defensive end. Also like Shamet, Wright has been in the positive in plus/minus in all three games.

With the Knicks season once again on the line Saturday, Shamet and Wright should once again have the faith of head coach Tom Thibodeau to play meaningful minutes as New York attempts to force a Game 7.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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