A blowout win didn’t erase a Knicks concern: Mitchell Robinson’s struggles at the line drew a Hack-a-Robinson look from Nick Nurse.
A Knicks rout can still leave a question mark, and the one that stood out after Game 1 is about free throws.
In a 137-98 win over the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, Nick Nurse leaned into a tactic that pushed Ariel Hukporti onto the floor for stretches, largely tied to Mitchell Robinson’s early-line issues.. The concern showed up when Robinson went 0-for-4 from the free-throw line, and Karl-Anthony Towns had picked up two early fouls, forcing the Knicks to manage minutes and matchups.
The key detail is that this wasn’t treated as a momentary glitch. Robinson checked in earlier than usual, and Nurse responded by limiting his involvement as the offense stalled around the free-throw stripe.
This matters because even in games that get away from an opponent, late-game execution often hinges on the trips to the line. If Robinson’s form stays uneven, it gives opposing coaches a repeatable lever in tighter matchups.
Mike Brown eventually removed Robinson and used Hukporti as the situation demanded. The approach resembled the “Hack-a-Robinson” idea the Hawks have used at times, built around forcing defenses and rotations to adjust rather than letting a player dictate pacing.
Brown also acknowledged the strategic tension. If the opposing game plan turns into frequent trips to the free-throw line, it changes what the Knicks can rely on. He emphasized that the team can’t assume they’ll come out on top when it becomes that kind of game.
Meanwhile, the series storyline around where fans are showing up has already shifted. Misryoum reports that ticket activity for later games shows meaningful interest from New York and New Jersey, even as the 76ers said they were limiting sales to the Philadelphia area.
For the Knicks, there was another quieter subplot as well: Landry Shamet remained on the bench and only saw action in garbage time. His role has been constrained since Game 3 of the first round.
In the end, the Knicks’ Game 1 margin may have been loud, but Misryoum says the free-throw picture is what could matter next if opponents decide to lean on it again. A blowout can hide problems for a night, yet the right adjustments will always make details resurface.