After a dramatic 124-113 victory over San Antonio in Las Vegas, the New York Knicks are already looking ahead to a grueling post-Cup schedule that has Coach Mike Brown saying the league should rethink the timing of the next season.
The Exhausting Post-Cup Run
The eight-day stretch that follows the championship includes five games in three different cities, culminating in a noon tip-off at home on Christmas Day against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks’ run began with a flight to Indiana, a quick return for a Friday matchup with Philadelphia, a Sunday game in Miami, a Tuesday contest in Minnesota, and a Thursday matinee back in New York. Brown’s description of the sequence highlighted how the team would be on the road, then back, then on the road again in a single week.
Schedule That Feels Like a Penalty
“Basically, I’ve been here for a week praising the NBA. The Cup is fun and first class and all that other staff,” Brown said before Thursday’s game at Indiana. “But somehow, some way they need to take a look at the back end of the schedule – at least for anybody who’s in the final game – because it’s almost like you getting penalized for winning it, schedule wise.” He emphasized that the structure of the calendar effectively penalizes the champions, creating a demanding and exhausting series of games.
Travel, Games, and Fatigue
The Knicks will immediately fly to Indiana after the championship, then head home for games Friday against Philadelphia and Sunday against Miami. They will then depart for Minnesota for Tuesday’s game before returning to New York for Thursday’s matinee. This rapid succession of travel and competition leaves little time for rest or recovery, a situation that Brown described as “almost like a penalty.”
Injuries on Both Sides
In the first matchup between last season’s Eastern Conference finalists, both teams were short-handed. Four injured players will continue to sit out for the Pacers-guards Tyrese Haliburton and Ben Sheppard along with forwards Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin. New York will play without centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well as guards Josh Hart, Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet. All nine are out with injuries.
Minutes Management and Coaching Philosophy
Brown acknowledged he didn’t follow his minutes limitations sheet as closely as he normally does during the most recent Cup games because he wanted to win the championship. Now, he plans to revert to his more traditional regular-season philosophy. “Now we’re back to our regular-season games, so minutes will go down to what I think they should be at for the rest of the season,” Brown said. “So I’ll go back to watching guys’ minutes more carefully, which is going to give other guys an opportunity.”
Looking Ahead Beyond the Championship
As for the Knicks’ decision not to hang a banner, Brown called it an “organizational” decision. But he certainly thinks there’s value to earning the title of Cup champs. “What I did tell them was exactly what I just said, ‘Hey, heck of a month. Cherish this. We can talk about this for the rest of our lives, we can talk about this with our grandkids,'” Brown said. “But there’s more to this season. This is a taste of what we can do. We can’t afford to get comfortable because of winning it. We’ve got to go back to work.”
A First-Year Coach’s Perspective
The first-year coach rattled off the grueling stretch the Knicks now face after beating San Antonio 124-113 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. He framed the championship as a success while also pointing out the physical and logistical challenges that follow. Brown’s comments reflect a coach who values both achievement and the long-term health of his roster.
Impact on the Knicks and the Pacers
The schedule and injuries create a unique set of challenges for both franchises. The Knicks must navigate a compressed series of games while managing player minutes and fatigue. The Pacers, missing four key contributors, face a tough test against a championship-winning squad. Both teams must adapt quickly to the demands of the postseason and the immediate transition into the next season.
The Big Picture: A Schedule That Demands Reform
Brown’s remarks highlight a broader conversation about the NBA’s post-Cup calendar. The league’s current structure places the champions in a difficult position, with back-to-back games, travel, and limited rest. His call for a review of the schedule underscores the need for a system that rewards success without compromising player health and team performance.
Key Takeaways
- The Knicks face an eight-day stretch of five games in three cities after winning the Cup.
- Both teams are short-handed, with nine injured players on the court.
- Coach Mike Brown urges the NBA to rethink the post-Cup schedule to avoid penalizing champions.
The Knicks’ championship run, while historic, has already set the stage for a demanding transition. Brown’s candid assessment points to the need for schedule adjustments that will allow teams to recover and prepare for the next season without compromising the integrity of the competition.
