Throughout the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the New York Knicks relied on several key elements that contributed to their success. They consistently demonstrated unwavering effort in every game and displayed a strong defensive mindset.
Under the leadership of head coach Tom Thibodeau, known for his teams’ physicality and aggression, the Knicks embraced these qualities wholeheartedly. Their cohesive teamwork and commitment to Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy were evident throughout the season.
A cornerstone of Thibodeau’s successful teams is their prowess on the boards. They excel not only in securing defensive rebounds to end possessions but also in dominating the offensive glass, thereby extending possessions and creating scoring opportunities.
Throughout the regular season, the New York Knicks compensated for any inefficiencies by capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Mitchell Robinson’s remarkable offensive rebounding performance, cut short by an ankle surgery in December, was a testament to this strategy.
In Robinson’s absence, Isaiah Hartenstein seamlessly stepped up, maintaining a high level of offensive rebounding prowess. Coupled with Josh Hart’s relentless rebounding efforts as a guard, the Knicks became a formidable force on the boards.
In their NBA Playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks showcased their dominance in rebounding, particularly on the offensive end. In both Game 1 and Game 2, they outrebounded the 76ers, with an impressive 22 offensive rebounds in the first game and 12 more in the second.
This aggressive rebounding has been pivotal in the series, highlighted by Hartenstein’s crucial offensive rebound in the closing moments of Game 2. The Knicks’ superiority on the boards is underscored by their ability to rebound an astonishing 42.5 percent of their missed shots in the series, far surpassing their league-leading regular-Basketballseason rate of 29.5 percent.
