Emmanuel Acho recently shared his perspective on the New York Knicks’ crucial Game 3 win, arguing that their success was more a result of Jalen Brunson’s foul trouble than a deliberate strategy. Acho suggested that the Knicks did not execute a planned victory but rather stumbled into the win during the Eastern Conference Finals. This analysis centers around the significant impact of Jalen Brunson’s difficulties staying on the floor due to fouls.
Details Behind the Impact of Brunson’s Foul Trouble in the Playoff Game
Acho began by emphasizing the role of Brunson’s fouling, stating,
“If Brunson doesn’t get in foul trouble, I don’t think they win that game.”
His argument is that Brunson was having an off night, and since Brunson’s strength lies primarily in scoring and clutch moments rather than defense, his early fouls prevented the Knicks from tightening their defense. Acho explained that without Brunson’s foul trouble, the Knicks would not have been able to improve their defensive switch strategy as effectively.
According to Acho, once players like Miles McBride, Dorell Wright, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby came onto the court, the Knicks could switch everything defensively. This allowed them to avoid mismatches and neutralize big players like Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. Acho noted,
“So, now, Anunoby, Bridges, [Josh] Hart, McBride, [Landry] Shamet, now you can switch off ball screens, and there is no mismatch.”
He contrasted this with the time when Brunson was on the court, which limited defensive switches due to his positional constraints.
Since the Knicks roster was limited in rotation depth, especially given the minutes played by starters like Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, players were becoming exhausted. Acho pointed out that Brunson was forced to leave the game early because of foul trouble—
“He didn’t want to go to the bench. He was forced to go to the bench”
—and this substitution indirectly helped the Knicks improve their defensive coverage. Acho summarized,
“I think the Knicks stumbled, like I might’ve stumbled into a tackle. I think the Knicks stumbled into that victory.”
Acho Highlights the Role of Coach Tom Thibodeau and Bench Usage
Emmanuel Acho called attention to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau’s role, urging him to transform what was an accidental win into a purposeful strategy in future games. Acho tweeted,
“It sounds crazy, but if you watched the game, the Knicks lose if Brunson stays out of foul trouble. Thibodeau needs to turn an accidental game plan into an intentional game plan, and use his bench.”
—Emmanuel Acho, Analyst
This perspective suggests that managing starter minutes and more strategic bench deployment could help the Knicks avoid relying on opponent mishaps like foul trouble. It is a call to action for a more deliberate approach to rest and rotations, which may be critical in a demanding playoff series.
Context and Reactions to Acho’s Take on Knicks and Brunson
Acho’s analysis follows previous controversial takes he has made about basketball matchups, including his earlier comment that the Boston Celtics matched up better against the Knicks without Jayson Tatum—remarks that drew criticism given Tatum’s injury status. NBA players like Kevin Durant have advised Acho and other non-basketball experts to avoid overstepping into NBA analysis, reflecting the tension around cross-sport commentary.
Despite some skepticism toward Acho’s view that the Knicks won incidentally rather than through design, the discussion points to a legitimate strategic conversation about the importance of managing key players‘ minutes during playoff games, especially when foul trouble disrupts lineups. It also acknowledges the nuanced ways fouls and player rotations can affect game outcomes beyond simple scoring.
Implications for Knicks’ Strategy Moving Forward
The takeaway from this analysis is a recommendation for the Knicks coaching staff to reconsider how they allocate time on the court to starters and bench players. By doing so, they could reduce player fatigue and be better prepared for tight, high-pressure playoff contests where every possession counts. The emphasis on Jalen Brunson’s foul trouble impact in Game 3 highlights how unexpected incidents can shift momentum and influence results.
As the Knicks continue their playoff run, adapting quickly to these scenarios could prove decisive. Thibodeau’s use of the bench and adjustments to his lineup rotations may determine if the team can build on this win intentionally rather than relying on fortunate circumstances. The series—and the team’s postseason fortunes—rest on how effectively they learn from moments like these.