The New York Knicks are reportedly not changing their starting lineup for Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks.
Newsday’s Steve Popper reported before tipoff that the Knicks were using the “same starters,” meaning Mike Brown is sticking with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns as New York returns to Madison Square Garden with the series tied 2-2.
That makes the update more than routine lineup housekeeping. The Knicks had faced real questions about whether Brown should adjust after falling behind 2-1 in the series, with Bridges’ offensive struggles, Miles McBride’s case for a larger role and Mitchell Robinson’s playing time all becoming part of the conversation.
The Knicks evened the series with a 114-98 Game 4 win, led by Towns’ triple-double.
Knicks Stick With Mikal Bridges Despite Lineup Debate
The biggest question was not whether Brunson, Anunoby or Towns would start. It was whether Brown would keep Bridges in the opening group.
The New York Post wrote after Game 3 that Brown faced a difficult choice with Bridges, who had struggled early in the series and was benched in the second half of that loss. The Post framed McBride as a possible alternative because of his ability to defend while adding more offensive creation.
Athlon Sports also covered Brown’s comments on the possible lineup change after Game 3, noting that the Brunson-Hart-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns group had posted rough numbers in that loss while a McBride-for-Bridges lineup gave the Knicks a major boost.
Brown’s reported Game 5 decision shows he is not ready to make that move at the opening tip.
That does not mean Bridges is free from pressure. It means the Knicks are separating the starting lineup from the closing lineup. Brown can still lean on McBride if the matchup demands it, but he is giving Bridges another chance to stabilize the first unit in the most important game of the series so far.
Mitchell Robinson’s Role Remains a Knicks Subplot
Robinson’s situation also helped make Popper’s report notable.
After Game 3, the New York Post reported that Robinson’s longtime trainer, Marcell Scott, publicly criticized Brown’s plan after Robinson played only 11 minutes in a narrow Knicks loss. The issue was not just minutes. It was whether Brown should use more Towns-Robinson frontcourt combinations instead of leaning so heavily on smaller groups.
There is a real basketball reason for the hesitation. Robinson gives the Knicks rebounding, rim protection and size, but he also changes the spacing around Brunson and Towns. The Hawks can also test him at the free-throw line if he is on the floor late.
That leaves Brown with a balance to strike. Starting Robinson would have been a clear pivot toward size. Keeping Hart in the starting lineup keeps more ball movement, transition play and defensive versatility around Brunson and Towns.
For Game 5, the Knicks are choosing continuity first.
Same Starters Does Not Mean Same Rotation
Popper’s report also does not lock Brown into a rigid rotation.
The Post reported that Landry Shamet’s shooting struggles have opened the door for Jose Alvarado to take on a larger role in the Knicks’ playoff rotation. Brown explained that the staff had tried different guard combinations, with Alvarado earning trust after getting his opportunity.
That is where Game 5 could still turn. The Knicks may be starting the same five, but Brown’s bench choices around McBride, Robinson, Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson could decide how long that starting group stays together.
The Knicks’ Game 4 response bought Brown some room to stay patient. It did not erase the lineup questions.
Now, with the series tied and the Hawks trying to steal another game in New York, the Knicks are betting their usual starters can set the tone before Brown has to reach for counters.
New York Knicks Reportedly Make Final Starting Lineup Decision Ahead of Game 5