Three Knicks Dominate the Minutes Played Leaderboard This Season

As Tom Thibodeau enters 2025, it’s clear he hasn’t changed his stripes. Known for leaning heavily on his star players, the Knicks’ head coach is, once again, pushing his starters to the limit. With New York’s leading players clocking the most minutes in the NBA, the safety of their stamina is up for debate.

The Knicks Are Riding High, But Is It Sustainable?

The Knicks are currently sitting pretty with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, bolstered by a massive recent win against the Bucks. While excitement abounds in the Big Apple, it’s crucial to remember that an NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. This is the kind of mantra that gets thrown around every year, but somehow, it doesn’t quite resonate with Coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau’s Relentless Philosophy

From his days in Chicago to his tenure in New York and Minnesota, Thibs has consistently followed a stringent rotation strategy during the regular season. This often entails asking a lot from his key players, leading to heavy legs come playoff time. Last season, those heavy minutes resulted in a slew of injuries during the postseason— a wake-up call seemingly ignored.

Heavy Lifting in the Minutes Department

Currently, the Knicks hold three of the top four spots for most minutes played this season in the NBA. Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are leading the charge, with Jalen Brunson trailing not far behind at sixth overall. The next player isn’t until Karl-Anthony Towns at the 22nd spot. To have four players among the top six is alarming, and frankly, it raises a red flag.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

However, context is essential when interpreting these stats. While Bridges and Hart lead the league in total minutes, the other starters are scattered further down the list, ranked 9th, 27th, and 30th in average playing time per game (source: ESPN).

The Need for Rest

It’s time for Thibs to consider the importance of rest for his stars. The return of Miles McBride from injury should ease the load on Jalen Brunson, while Mitchell Robinson is set to lend a hand to Towns in the paint. The true puzzle lies on the wings, where Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart are logging heavy minutes every night. Might a trade before the deadline bring in fresh legs?

Source stats: ESPN / StatMuse