The Knicks’ Quiet Shakeup That’s Turned Them Into a Contender
While the NBA rumor mill keeps spinning-whether it’s whispers of Giannis Antetokounmpo heading to the Big Apple or a potential Donte DiVincenzo reunion-the New York Knicks have already made what might be the most impactful move of the season. And they did it without making a single trade or signing.
Instead, the shift came from within. Head coach Mike Brown took a hard look at a 9-6 start and decided it was time to pivot-literally.
Out went the double-big lineup of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Towns slid to center, Robinson moved to the bench, and Josh Hart was promoted into the starting lineup as the team’s new two-guard.
Since that November 24 lineup change, the Knicks have taken off. They’ve gone 10-2 with Hart in the starting five, surged to second place in the Eastern Conference at 20-8, and even walked away with the league’s third-ever NBA Cup. Not bad for a team that was hovering around .500 just a month ago.
Josh Hart: From Super Sub to Starting Star
Let’s talk about Hart, because he’s the engine behind this turnaround. The 30-year-old has always been known as a glue guy-someone who does a little bit of everything, defends multiple positions, and brings relentless energy. But since stepping into the starting role, he’s taken that all-around game to another level.
In 12 games as a starter, Hart is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He’s shooting a blistering 52.4% from the field and an elite 42.4% from beyond the arc.
That’s not just good-it’s borderline All-Star level production. And he’s doing it without hijacking the offense or disrupting the flow.
He’s simply making winning plays, over and over again.
A Lineup That’s Clicking on Both Ends
The new-look starting five-Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns-has been a revelation. Offensively, they’re humming.
This group ranks in the 98th percentile in points per 100 possessions (127.2) and a jaw-dropping 99th percentile in effective field goal percentage (62.1). That’s elite company.
Defensively, they’re no slouch either. With a rating of 112.9 since the lineup switch, they’ve been a top-12 unit on that end. That balance-explosive offense paired with solid defense-is what separates pretenders from contenders.
And the advanced numbers back it all up. The Knicks now sit in the 83rd percentile in point differential (+8.4), which is often a better predictor of future success than win-loss record alone.
In other words, this isn’t a fluke. This is sustainable, high-level basketball.
A Legitimate Title Threat?
With their current form, the Knicks have vaulted into the title conversation. They hold the third-best odds to win the 2026 Larry O’Brien Trophy at +1200, trailing only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (-115) and the always-dangerous Denver Nuggets (+850).
It’s not just about the numbers, though. There’s a different energy around this team now.
Brunson continues to lead with poise and scoring punch. Bridges and Anunoby are locking down wings on the perimeter.
Towns has more space to operate as the lone big. And Hart?
He’s the heartbeat-doing the dirty work, hitting timely shots, and giving the Knicks a toughness they’ve long needed.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes the biggest moves aren’t made at the trade deadline or in free agency. Sometimes, they come from a coach trusting his gut, tweaking a lineup, and unlocking something special.
For the Knicks, inserting Josh Hart into the starting five wasn’t just a lineup adjustment-it was a season-defining decision. And if they keep playing like this, it might just be the move that brings them back to the NBA Finals for the first time in decades.