Breaking news: NBA analyst Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when he shared his thoughts on the New York Knicks.
NBA analyst Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when he shared his thoughts on the New York Knicks’ surprising strategy in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks, known for their gritty and defensive-minded play under head coach Tom Thibodeau, made a bold adjustment that raised eyebrows across the league—and Barkley was among the first to voice strong criticism.
In a game that saw New York shuffle their rotation and lean heavily on an unconventional small-ball lineup, Barkley called the decision “reckless” and “desperate,” especially considering the high stakes. “You can’t just throw out your identity because you’re on the road,” Barkley said during the postgame show on TNT. “That’s not playoff basketball. That’s panic basketball.”
The Knicks, down two key players due to injury, opted to start a smaller lineup and increased the pace to try to catch the Pacers off guard. While it created some early energy and a brief lead, Indiana quickly adjusted and exploited the mismatches, particularly in the paint and on the boards. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam feasted inside, outmuscling the Knicks’ undersized frontcourt and dominating second-chance opportunities.
Barkley was especially critical of how the move affected Jalen Brunson, who has been the Knicks’ offensive engine throughout the playoffs. “You’re asking Brunson to do way too much,” Barkley said. “He’s out there trying to guard bigger guys and still carry the offense. That’s not sustainable.”
The Pacers ended up taking advantage of the Knicks’ lack of size and ran away with a convincing win, cutting into New York’s series lead. Barkley questioned Thibodeau’s willingness to deviate from the team’s tried-and-true defensive identity. “This isn’t the regular season where you experiment,” he said. “It’s the playoffs. You dance with who brought you here.”
Despite the criticism, some fans and analysts defended the Knicks’ gamble, pointing to their limited roster options and the need to adapt. Still, Barkley remained firm: “I don’t mind bold, but this wasn’t bold. This was blind.”
As the series heats up, all eyes will be on how the Knicks respond in Game 4—whether they stick with the small-ball experiment or return to the formula that got them this far.
