Something’s quietly brewing in New York-and it’s not just the Knicks stacking up a much-needed win over the Nets. While most of the spotlight has been on the team’s inconsistency and injury woes, there’s a low-key development that deserves a lot more attention. It’s not flashy, but it might just be one of the most important things to happen to this roster all season.
With the Knicks finally healthy again, head coach Mike Brown has been able to dust off a lineup trio that’s quietly been one of his most effective tools: Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, and Landry Shamet.
This group got just over six minutes together in the Knicks’ dominant win against Brooklyn, but in that short stretch, they were a +12. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern.
A Trio That’s More Than the Sum of Its Parts
Let’s be clear-beating the Nets isn’t exactly a statement win. But this isn’t about who they beat.
It’s about how they did it, and more importantly, who helped make it happen. The McBride-Shamet-Robinson trio has been a quiet difference-maker every time they’ve shared the court this season.
It’s not a group that’s going to lead the highlight reels, but it’s one that wins possessions-and games.
Due to injuries and rotation shuffles, these three have only appeared in 10 games together this season. But when they do, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 17.2 points per 100 possessions.
That’s not just solid-that’s elite territory. And they’re doing it on both ends of the court.
Yes, there’s a small-sample-size disclaimer here. Opponents are shooting under 31% from deep when this trio is on the floor, and that number is bound to normalize.
But even in games where the Knicks have been overwhelmed-like the blowout loss to Dallas-this group has held its own. That’s not noise.
That’s signal.
Why This Group Works
Let’s dig into the why, because this isn’t just a hot streak-it’s a combination that makes basketball sense.
Mitchell Robinson has returned to form defensively. After a rocky start to the season, he’s back to anchoring the paint and disrupting everything within arm’s reach.
But the beauty of this trio is that Robinson doesn’t have to overextend himself on the perimeter. That’s because McBride and Shamet have quietly become two of the Knicks’ best point-of-attack defenders.
They fight over screens, stay attached, and make life miserable for opposing ball handlers.
That defensive synergy allows the Knicks to deploy this unit in all sorts of ways. Want to protect Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns on defense?
Plug in this group. They can cover up weaknesses without sacrificing spacing or flow on the offensive end.
That’s a rare luxury.
And it doesn’t stop there. OG Anunoby has been logging heavy, high-leverage minutes, often tasked with holding the defense together while also sharing the floor with Towns.
But if the McBride-Shamet-Robinson trio can buy the Knicks quality minutes without OG, it opens up a whole new layer of flexibility. Now you can pair OG with Brunson in other lineups.
You can manage workloads. You can experiment.
The Evidence Isn’t Just From This Season
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this trio produce. Last year, across both the regular season and the playoffs, the Knicks outscored opponents by a staggering 28.7 points per 100 possessions when McBride, Shamet, and Robinson shared the floor.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s a trend.
Sure, availability is always going to be a concern. Robinson has had his share of injuries.
Shamet’s role has fluctuated. But when all three are healthy and in rhythm, they offer something the Knicks have desperately needed: lineup versatility, defensive toughness, and a reliable second unit that can hold the line-or even swing momentum.
A Hidden Weapon Heading Toward the Deadline
As the trade deadline approaches, there’s no doubt the Knicks front office is evaluating its options. Depth is always a priority, and the East is no joke this year.
But having this trio available gives New York something it hasn’t had in a while: a built-in safety net. It’s not just about plugging holes.
It’s about giving the coaching staff real tools to mix and match without compromising either end of the floor.
This group won’t grab headlines. They’re not going to light up the scoreboard.
But they win possessions. They win minutes.
And in a long season where every edge matters, that can be the difference between treading water and making a real push.
So while the spotlight might be elsewhere, don’t sleep on what the Knicks have quietly rediscovered. McBride, Shamet, and Robinson might not be the stars-but they just might be the glue that holds this thing together.