Knicks Coach Mike Brown Defends Rotations Ahead of Game 3 Against Hawks

Head coach reiterated his trust in any player on the court two days after Game 2, with key players on the bench at the same time during two stretches of the game. But he also acknowledged before the team left Tarrytown for Atlanta on Wednesday that anything can change in the playoffs.

“First of all, anything’s open to discussion offensively, defensively,” he said when asked if he’d be comfortable making that same lineup decision again or if he’d like to limit it.

“Maybe changing this defensively. Maybe changing that offensively. I’m comfortable with all of our guys playing, no matter who the five is out there. “But at the end of the day, just like offensively and defensively, I mean we changed both of those things halfway through the year.

Anything can happen, and when you’re in the playoffs, everything should be on the table. ” The first instance of both out began after a sub between the first and second quarter, with one already on the bench from when he checked out with 2:48 left in the opening frame. When the stretch with both out began, the team led 32-23.

By the time they entered again midway through the second quarter, that initial advantage had already been erased. The team, at one point, had even trailed before rebuilding a five-point edge as the pair checked back in. Then, the pair was kept off the court again for the final 1:50 of the third quarter and the opening 4:04 of the fourth.

And while the team still had a nine-point lead when they checked back in with just under eight minutes remaining in the game, it had originally been a 12-point advantage. The bench, outside of Mitchell Robinson, has struggled to produce for the opening two games of the series. That was only amplified when the key players were on the bench together.

But trust still hasn’t wavered — at least for now. A player again dodged a chance to truly embrace the role as the villain in this series .

““It’s just fans booing you or cheering you on,” the player said Wednesday in Atlanta. “It’s really not that serious. I think when you look at it that way, it’s just a game. It’s fun to compete at the highest level. It’s fun to be recognized by people, but I don’t play for approval. I don’t play for anybody’s approval. I play for my family, myself and God, so it’s just a game, at the end of the day.” Thursday will mark the opponent’s first home postseason game since 2023, and Okongwu expected it to be “very, very loud” at State Farm Arena.”

““Obviously, you know, fans are gonna be there as well, but I know faithful will be there as well,” Okongwu said. “Excited for [Thursday] night.” Backup center Jock Landale was again ruled out with a right high ankle sprain. The team defended his decisions in the postgame news conference and again on Wednesday. The team aims to regain momentum in the opponent's city. Game 3 represents a significant matchup in the series, following the close loss. The bench performance has been a factor in the initial games. Adjustments could influence the outcome as the playoffs progress. The series began with Game 1, though details were not specified in reports. The team made midseason changes to strategies, which was referenced as precedent for potential playoff tweaks. Fan engagement has been notable. Players expressed excitement for the home crowd support. The matchup highlights bench depth and coaching decisions. Both teams prepare for a competitive continuation of the series.”