The starters for the New York Knicks are on a historic pace this season. They have averaged 95 points per game this season which would be the most since the Boston Celtics starters averaged 95.8 points per game in the 1986-87 season.
New York’s starting lineup is Point Guard Jalen Brunson, Shooting Guard Josh Hart, Forward OG Anunoby, Forward Mikal Bridges, and Center Karl-Anthony Towns. Will the team’s starters be able to keep it up as the New York Knicks look to end the regular season on a high note?
New York Knicks Season Summary
Starters for the @nyknicks this season are averaging 95.0 points per game.
That would be the highest scoring average by a team's starters for a season since the 1986-87 Boston Celtics (95.8). pic.twitter.com/EvaPEwyyaG
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) March 25, 2025
New York has been solid this regular season. They are 44-26 and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Their offense, led by its starting five, has been one of the league’s best. They are ninth in points per game, fourth in field goal percentage, and ninth in three-point percentage. With such a heavy emphasis on their starters, the New York Knicks score the fewest bench points per game in the league by nearly five points.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau is known for playing his starters more than any coach in the league, and this season that has been taken to the extreme. New York plays its starters about 12 minutes a game. That is the fewest in the NBA. New York’s defense has been weak this year. They are 13th in points allowed, 22nd in field goal percentage, and 28th in three-point percentage. Thibodeau’s teams are known to be defensive-minded, but the Knicks have had an offensive tilt this season.
Final Thoughts
New York returns to the court tonight when they host the injury-ravaged Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks will need their starters to continue playing well for the team to reach its full potential. New York has struggled against the NBA’s upper-echelon teams. That could limit how far the team goes in the NBA Playoffs.
