The predominant story of the 2025 Eastern Conference finals has been how badly the New York Knicks have performed with their starting lineup in the game. The five-man group of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart,

The starting five of Hart, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns has been outscored in the playoffs by 81 points, with a NET rating of minus-9.5 (meaning they have been outscored by 9.5 points per 100 possessions). That is the worst mark of a starting group of any of the four remaining teams in the playoffs.