Knicks' Woeful Three-Point Defense Leaves Them Vulnerable With Mitchell Robinson On The Mend
The New York Knicks have been one of the NBA's most disappointing teams this season, and their woeful three-point defense has been a major factor in their struggles. Entering Thursday, opponents were shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc against the Knicks, which ranked 29th in the league. That number has only gotten worse since Mitchell Robinson went down with a thumb injury on Jan. 19. In the six games Robinson has missed, opponents are shooting 46.4% from three-point range against the Knicks.
Robinson is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, and his absence has left a huge hole in the Knicks' defense. Opponents are now able to drive into the paint with impunity, and they are also getting more open looks from three-point range. This has made it very difficult for the Knicks to stop teams from scoring, and it has been a major factor in their recent struggles.
Numbers Don't Lie
The numbers bear out the Knicks' struggles on the defensive end. Opponents are averaging 11.9 made three-pointers per game against the Knicks this season, which is the fourth-highest mark in the NBA. They are also shooting a league-worst 39.4% from three-point range. This has been a major problem for the Knicks all season, but it has become even more pronounced since Robinson went down with his injury.
In the six games Robinson has missed, opponents are averaging 14.0 made three-pointers per game against the Knicks and shooting 46.4% from beyond the arc. This is a significant increase from the 11.9 made three-pointers and 39.4% shooting that the Knicks allowed in the 45 games Robinson played this season.
Not Just A Robinson Problem
While Robinson's absence has certainly hurt the Knicks' defense, it's not the only factor that has contributed to their struggles. The Knicks have also been dealing with injuries to other key players, including RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and Obi Toppin. These injuries have forced the Knicks to play a number of different lineups, and it has taken a toll on their defensive chemistry.
The Knicks also have a number of players who are simply not good defenders. Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, and Cam Reddish are all below-average defenders, and they have been a liability for the Knicks all season. The Knicks need these players to step up on the defensive end, but it's unclear if they are capable of doing so.
Conclusion
The Knicks' three-point defense has been a major problem all season, and it has only gotten worse since Mitchell Robinson went down with an injury. The Knicks are now one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, and they are giving up a ton of open looks from beyond the arc. This has made it very difficult for the Knicks to stop teams from scoring, and it has been a major factor in their recent struggles.
The Knicks need to find a way to improve their three-point defense if they want to turn their season around. They need to get more consistent from beyond the arc, and they need to do a better job of closing out on shooters. They also need to find a way to replace Robinson's rim protection, which will be a difficult task.
If the Knicks can't improve their three-point defense, they are going to continue to struggle. They are one of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference, but they won't be able to compete with the top teams in the league if they can't stop them from scoring from beyond the arc.
