Landry Shamet’s Decline in the Knicks’ Rotation

Landry Shamet’s exclusion from the Knicks’ lineup was gradual, marked by several factors.

His performance during the postseason, along with a disappointing finish to the regular season, certainly contributed to this shift. Since March 1, he has managed to sink only 26 out of 86 three-point attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 30.2.

In the early playoff games against the Hawks, Shamet played 18 and 10 minutes, respectively, but then saw only three minutes of action in Game 3 and minimal playing time in Game 4, where he came on only at the end when the game was out of reach.

Another player, Jose Alvarado, effectively took over his role. Coach Mike Brown commented on this evolution after practice, stating, “We won Game 1 with Landry as our backup point guard. However, in Game 2, we made some adjustments. It was a bit confusing for our guys, so we needed a true point guard when things got chaotic. Once we put Jose in, things changed. He played well, and I kept giving him chances.”

Brown added, “Anyone’s number could be called at any moment, so it’s crucial for everyone to stay ready. Jose didn’t see much playtime at the end of the regular season, similar to Jordan Clarkson back in 2018 who also didn’t play initially in the playoffs but stepped up when it mattered.”

Jalen Brunson shared that he recently spoke with Donte DiVincenzo, who suffered an Achilles injury during the Timberwolves’ Game 4 victory over the Nuggets. Having a history as teammates, Brunson expressed concern, saying, “He seemed okay. It’s tough to see something like that happen to someone you care about.”

As for the Knicks, they appear to be in good shape heading into Game 5, although the Hawks are still without Jock Landale due to a high ankle sprain.

Brunson did briefly exit the locker room during the third quarter of Game 4, after a fall by Dyson Daniels landed awkwardly on his left foot, but returned shortly thereafter. On Monday, he mentioned that his legs felt “great.”