The New York Knicks face elimination Thursday night as they host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Down 3-1 in the series, the Knicks are fighting to keep their championship hopes alive and avoid a premature exit from the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs. One voice with championship pedigree has weighed in on what the Knicks need to do to survive: Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
Following New York’s 130-121 loss in Game 4, Johnson took to social media to offer a tactical suggestion. “A message to the New York Knicks: Go back to what got you to the Eastern Conference Finals — that’s having Josh Hart in the starting lineup,” Johnson posted on X.
The Knicks made a notable adjustment to their starting five in Game 4, replacing Hart with center Mitchell Robinson in a bid to add rim protection and size. But the gamble backfired. The new lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Robinson posted a staggering -32.9 net rating. In contrast, the original group with Hart instead of Robinson recorded a +29.8 in just nine minutes on the floor.
Chemistry, not just size, has been the missing ingredient. While Hart struggled with five turnovers in Game 4, his energy, defense, and rebounding were sorely missed early on. The Knicks turned the ball over 17 times as a team, and Indiana capitalized on nearly every mistake with efficient transition play. “We have to be more careful with the ball, starting with myself,” Hart said after the NBA game.
Adding to the Knicks’ concerns is the health of Karl-Anthony Towns. The All-Star forward is listed as questionable with a left knee contusion suffered late in Game 4 after a collision with Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith. His status remains unclear heading into Thursday night, with the final decision likely coming after pregame evaluations.
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Towns is being monitored on a day-to-day basis, and his availability may ultimately come down to how his knee responds during warmups. Given the magnitude of the game, the decision could mirror the approach the Denver Nuggets used with Aaron Gordon in Game 7 against the Thunder earlier this postseason—leaving the final call to the player and medical staff.
As the Knicks look to extend their postseason run, all eyes will be on head coach Tom Thibodeau’s lineup decisions—and whether a return to what worked earlier in the playoffs can help New York force a Game 6.
