Doc Rivers shared his thoughts on the Knicks’ bench issues, highlighting their struggles in scoring and depth as they face the Bucks.
“Has Thibs ever played the bench?” he laughed before the game at Madison Square Garden. But he wasn’t wrong. The Knicks have been struggling, ranking last in the league for bench scoring and rebounding.
They came into the game with a solid record of 25-14, sitting third in the Eastern Conference, but had lost four of their last five games. Their depth issues were glaring, especially after a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Rivers could relate to the situation. He recalled a time coaching the Clippers when Lou Williams showed up hungover. “He said, ‘Coach, I’m not drunk, but I’m hungover,’” Rivers remembered. Sometimes, you just have to rely on your best options, even if they’re not in top shape.
He noted that coaches see their players every day in practice, which helps them understand who they can trust. The Knicks recently traded for Karl-Anthony Towns, but injuries have also hit their roster hard.
In their first matchup this season, Towns had a standout performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Rivers praised his improvement, saying Towns is rebounding better and making smarter shot selections now that he has teammates he trusts.
Overall, it’s a tough spot for the Knicks, and Rivers’ comments highlight the challenges they face as they try to find their rhythm.
