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New York Knicks: Takeaways from Jayson Tatum-led loss to Celtics

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribble sthe ball against Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicksat Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribble sthe ball against Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicksat Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 20: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 20: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. There’s already bench reassessments

Only three games into the season, the New York Knicks must adjust the rotation, due to Kevin Knox’s ankle injury that will sideline him for 2-4 weeks, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Not only this, but the Celtics game indicated a change may have already transpired, with or without Knox’s ankle ailment.

Knicks head coach David Fizdale inserted Damyean Dotson into the rotation for the first time this season, after a healthy absence against the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. He took 22 minutes and scored 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting.

As a potential result, Ron Baker saw his playing time drop again. It went from 27 in the opener to 18 to 12 within three games.

Baker offers the grit and defensive capability Fizdale praised, but little on the offensive end; the Wichita State product had just five total points. Not only that, but he struggled at time defensively against Boston and had a team-low -11 Plus/Minus against Brooklyn.

Mario Hezonja also saw his playing time dip across the three games after 19 minutes in the opener.

It might be too early to consider this a pattern, but playing time has already fluctuated for a chunk of New York’s bench. How will it play out in future games?

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