The New York Knicks shook up their starting lineup Sunday night, promoting center Mitchell Robinson to replace Josh Hart in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers.
New York completed a 20-point comeback, picking up its first win of the Eastern Conference final after a 106-100 victory.
Robinson recorded six points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, while Hart tallied eight points and grabbed 10 boards in 34 minutes of action.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau considered starting Robinson over Hart following their 114-109 Game 2 loss at home, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
Robinson has been a bright spot for New York in the playoffs with his defense and rebounding capabilities. The big man entered Sunday's game averaging 4.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in the postseason.
Of the 7-footer's 7.1 boards per game, 3.8 come on the offensive glass. Robinson also holds a plus-2.9 rating in the postseason.
Hart has been the least effective of the Knicks' regular starters, averaging 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, five assists, and a steal in the playoffs.
"I've been the 15th man, I've been the third man, I've been the sixth man, I've been whatever," Hart said Sunday, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. "I truly feel like I'm a starter in the league. I think I played amazing this year. So, if it happens, cool. I can't sit here and preach about sacrifice and getting out of our own personal agendas and then a decision like that is made and then be mad at it."
Moving Hart to the bench could allow New York to match up better with the Pacers frontcourt duo of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Robinson will pair up with fellow 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns in the Knicks' opening lineup.
The Pacers took Games 1 and 2 on the road at Madison Square Garden but dropped Game 3. The Knicks will have a chance to tie the series Tuesday night in Game 4.