Tom Thibodeau expected to shorten rotation again

How short will Tom Thibodeau keep his bench this time around? When it comes to the playoffs, the New York Knicks head coach has never been shy about tightening his rotation – and this postseason looks to be no different.

Last year, Thibodeau trimmed his lineup down to eight players during the playoffs, and when injuries struck, he went even further, relying on just seven.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, a similar strategy is expected heading into the Knicks’ first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons.

Bondy reports that Thibodeau is likely to lean heavily on his starting five, with just a couple of bench players seeing consistent minutes. Guard Miles McBride and center Mitchell Robinson seem to be the only two reserves firmly locked into Thibodeau’s playoff plans.

Beyond that, the remaining bench players – Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne, and Precious Achiuwa – may be on the outside looking in when it comes to regular rotation minutes.

Bondy suggests only one of those three is likely to earn a spot in the primary rotation, and based on recent performance, he makes the case that Shamet’s hot shooting should give him the edge.

If history is any indication, Thibodeau will stick to a tight circle of trusted contributors, especially in high-stakes playoff games, prioritizing defense, chemistry, and reliability over experimentation or extended depth.