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New York Knicks: Effects of the new starting lineup

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale introduced a new starting lineup, so how did it produce?

New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale only teased starting lineup changes before Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. So to see the drastic adjustments made after just five games was a head-turner.

For Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., Damyean Dotson, Noah Vonleh and Mitchell Robinson all joined the starting lineup, with Dotson, Vonleh and Robinson as the beneficiaries.

  • Dotson delivered 12 points and 7 rebounds on 5-for-12 shooting in 30 minutes. This became just his third start in two seasons, but a continuation of his performance of the previous three games.
  • Robinson had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in 29 minutes. This was his first career start.
  • Vonleh had 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 22 minutes.
  • Ntilikina had a season-high 17 points and 2 assists on 6-for-11 shooting and 3-for-7 from three-point range. It was also his move to point guard, rather than playing off the ball.

The changes were in place of Trey Burke, Enes Kanter and Lance Thomas, who all moved to the bench and produced the following:

  • Thomas picked up 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 19 minutes.
  • Kanter scored 8 points and 13 rebounds in 20 minutes. The reserve role may not be popular with him.
  • Burke had 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists on 5-for-12 shooting and 3-for-7 from three-point range.

This all happened in a 128-100 loss, despite the Knicks keeping it tight in the first three quarters, which they led by three points after. Then came a 25-point fourth quarter from Kevin Durant to put Golden State over the top in a 47-point period.

As Chris Iseman of NorthJersey.com noted, Fizdale said more changes could happen after another five games.

"“But I tend to work in five games,” Fizdale said. “I think it’s a nice chunk of games to be able to evaluate a group. But I do have the luxury of changing things if I want.”"

For most of this game, New York’s new-look squad found success. Without a quarter-century output from a Durant-esque player every night, maybe it finds steady footing in Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets or the ensuing matchups to close October and open November.

25 greatest players in franchise history. dark. Next

One game into this experiment, is it a long-term fixture or something that switches after another five games?

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