# Knicks Preseason Lineups Signal Rotation Shift

> Knicks' preseason lineup changes hint at regular season rotation strategy.
- Title: Knicks Preseason Lineups Signal Rotation Shift | Shortify
- Summary: Knicks' preseason lineup changes hint at regular season rotation strategy. Knicks' preseason rotation with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby getting more playing…
- Keywords: knicks, mikal bridges, og anunoby, jalen brunson, karl-anthony towns, miles mcbride, landry shamet, pacome dadiet, josh hart, andre drummond, nba, preseason
- Source: New York Knicks On SI — https://si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/what-knicks-preseason-lineups-could-mean-initial-rotation-01m559tc2zb2
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:00:04+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: knicks, mikal bridges, og anunoby, jalen brunson, karl-anthony towns, miles mcbride, landry shamet, pacome dadiet, josh hart, andre drummond, nba, preseason
## Knicks Preseason Ends
The Knicks' preseason is officially over, allowing the defending NBA Champions to turn their focus to Tuesday's 2026-27 season opener against the 76ers.
## Coach Brown's Rotation Claim
Head coach Mike Brown said the finale's rotation was 'close to what it'll be in the regular season'.

> close to what it'll be in the regular season
## Og Anunoby and Mikal Bridges Headlining
Brown has discussed giving Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby more handling reps in the offense, with this lineup providing reliable high-pressure handling and pace.
## Low Bench Minutes Last Season
Last season, excluding low-leverage, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns shared time on the bench for only 290 minutes.

> 290 minutes
## Defensive Unit Strength
Jose Alvarado supplies a reliable high-pressure handler and pace pusher without giving up much on the defensive end.
## Frontline Anchors
Anunoby and Andre Drummond anchor the frontline alongside some of the team's better point-of-attack defenders.
## Keeping Stars Together
In the last preseason game, Brown deployed Brunson and KAT alongside Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Pacome Dadiet.
## Josh Hart's Rebounding Impact
Hart rebounds so prolifically that New York wins offensive rebounding differential with him at the four despite his size.
## Brunson-Towns Pairing
Pairing Brunson and Towns can amplify both of their games, especially when Towns draws the opposing big man.
## Toronto Matchup
Their latest matchup against Toronto showed pure dominance in two-man actions.

> pure dominance in two-man actions
## Rotation Strategy Shift
Brown's potential change of keeping stars together and opening up more opportunity for their wings on the ball is something he hasn't done in a large capacity as the coach of the Knicks.
## Playoff Goal
The Knicks want to continuously understand and experiment with their roster en route to another potentially deep playoff run.
## Key takeaway

Knicks' preseason rotation with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby getting more playing time could mean regular season rotation closer to preseason combinations.