Is Thibodeau Overworking the Knicks’ Stars and Risking Their Season?

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has long been known for his reliance on starters, a hallmark of his coaching career spanning nearly 40 years. The former head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves often leans heavily on his core players, emphasizing conditioning and endurance during the regular season. While this approach can yield positive results early on, it has also been criticized for wearing down teams by the time the playoffs arrive.

Tom Thibodeau

In his first few seasons with the Knicks, Thibodeau’s strategy largely went under the radar. However, recent games have brought it back into focus, raising questions about its long-term impact. During a two-game losing streak, the Knicks saw their starters log significant minutes. In Friday’s 117-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, several starters played over 40 minutes, despite facing a back-to-back the next day.

The following night, in a 139-126 defeat to the Chicago Bulls, the heavy workload continued. Thibodeau’s key players were again on the court for over 30 minutes each. After the game, Thibodeau pointed to fatigue as a factor in the loss.

“I knew this would be as much a mental challenge as a physical one,” Thibodeau said. “We just went through a pretty tough stretch—five of six games on the road. [The Bulls] can score quickly. If you score but jog back and complain to an official, they’re racing it up. That’s where we could be better.”

Despite the coach’s explanation, the numbers tell a concerning story. Last season, no Knicks player ranked among the top five in minutes played, a testament to the team’s balance and depth. This year, the situation is starkly different. Three players are currently in the top seven for minutes played, and four are in the top 30.

Knicks fans are now voicing concerns about how far the team can go under this approach. Unless Thibodeau makes adjustments, the Knicks may find themselves limited, both in their regular-season performance and their postseason aspirations.