A controversial coaching decision in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals may have placed New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau under the microscope.
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins issued a strong warning, suggesting that benching Karl-Anthony Towns during the game’s closing stretch could have serious consequences for Thibodeau’s job.
NBA Analyst Blasts Thibodeau’s Decision To Bench Towns in Critical Game 2
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words when he took to X to express his frustration with Thibodeau’s move.
“If or when the Pacers win this series… Thibs decision to bench Towns in the 4th is going to get him fired. I get it he wanted to get some defensive stops but it didn’t work,” Perkins posted. Perkins had previously emphasized the importance of Towns ahead of the Knicks’ series against the Indiana Pacers.
If or when the Pacers win this series… Thibs decision to bench Towns in the 4th is going to get him fired. I get it he wanted to get some defensive stops but it didn’t work.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins)
Speaking on ESPN radio’s Don, Hahn and Rosenberg, he said, “Karl-Anthony Towns is the most important player in this series.” He stressed that Towns needed to outplay Indiana’s Myles Turner, who had been impactful on both ends of the floor throughout the postseason. “If Karl-Anthony Towns dominates and wins that battle, the Knicks will win this series in great fashion. If he doesn’t, the Knicks are going to be in trouble.”
Game 2 seemed to validate Perkins’ concerns. With the Knicks trailing by nine with nine minutes left, Thibodeau pulled Towns in favor of Mitchell Robinson. Towns stayed on the bench for more than six minutes, despite being the team’s second-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson.
Towns ended the game with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from deep and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also recorded seven rebounds but had no assists, steals, or blocks. Though his defensive rating was poor, with a score of -20 , the team made no ground on the deficit with Robinson, who scored just six points, on the floor.
Thibodeau defended the decision postgame, implying that Towns’ defensive lapses influenced the move. He noted that the group on the court during the fourth quarter gave the Knicks “the best chance to win.”
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Perkins’ warning isn’t just about one game—it stems from broader expectations. He had predicted a Knicks series win in six games, calling it a revenge series and highlighting the return of key players. However, if Towns continues to be sidelined in critical moments, Perkins believes the consequences could go far beyond this postseason.
