3 Knicks decisions Tom Thibodeau must make after Julius Randle injury

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks walks after getting injured during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

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Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

2: The closing lineup

There’s no denying Tom Thibodeau’s stubbornness, but he surprised Knicks fans on Wednesday when he played Quickley-Grimes-Barrett-Hart-Hartenstein for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Brunson went to the scorer’s table to check in, but Thibodeau changed his mind and brought Brunson back to the bench.

The ball movement of that lineup was beautiful, the quickness was beautiful, and having three defensive masterminds in IQ/Grimes/Hart on the court was beautiful, too. New York held Miami to only 16 points in the final quarter.

With no Randle for the foreseeable future, will Thibodeau continue to roll with the above lineup to close out games? Or will he replace IQ with Brunson, who Thibs said was fine with remaining on the bench against Miami?

If Thibodeau was wise (and he’s shown that he can be), he would continue to give that lineup some run together to close out the season. It’s one that had never shared the floor prior to Wednesday. But knowing Thibs, he’ll go in the complete opposite direction. Knicks fans need to hope that isn’t what ends up happening. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!

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