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Mike Brown is locking in a nine-man playoff rotation with one key role player in the backcourt as a surprising omission.

The NBA regular season winding down and the New York Knicks are tightening their rotation with one notable name on the outside looking in. Head coach Mike Brown confirmed that the nine-man group used in recent wins over the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics will “probably” be the playoff rotation as the postseason approaches.

That group includes starters Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, with a bench unit of Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson. The decision signals clarity, but also a bold omission. Trade deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado, once viewed as a tone-setter for New York’s second unit, has been pushed out of the rotation entirely.

“Those guys are probably our top nine when you’re talking about the playoffs,” Brown said. “It’s hard to play more than nine guys.”

Jose Alvarado Phased Out as Jordan Clarkson Emerges Late

The absence of Alvarado stands out given his his impact on the roster in just a short period of time. Acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans at the NBA trade deadline for two second-round picks, he quickly carved out a role across 26 straight appearances, averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 assists in just over 16 minutes per game.

His defensive pressure and energy helped stabilize stretches of the regular season. But playoff basketball is about trust and recent games suggest Brown has shifted his confidence elsewhere.

McBride’s return from sports hernia surgery solidified one guard spot. The bigger swing came with Jordan Clarkson, who has quietly redefined his role. Once known strictly as a microwave scorer, Clarkson has leaned into defense and efficiency down the stretch. Since early March, he’s averaging 9.4 points on 54.4 percent shooting while keeping turnovers low.

Entering the playoffs, New York know they need another shot creating option at the point guard position, but without sacrificing on the defensive end. Clarkson’s late-season surge has effectively replaced Alvarado’s early impact. And in a nine-man playoff rotation, there simply isn’t room for both.

Knicks Believe Title Is Within Reach

Despite the rotation shake-up, belief inside the locker room hasn’t wavered. The Knicks sit at 52-28, firmly in the East’s top tier, with a roster built for a deep run. Alvarado himself made that clear, even as his role diminished.

“I see what they’re seeing. We can get to that level,” he said. “We’re really good. We just need to lock in on the details and stay like that. What really is in our way is ourselves.”

That quote cuts to the core of New York’s season. This isn’t a team lacking talent. With Brunson and Towns playing at All-NBA levels, plus elite two-way wings in Bridges and Anunoby, the Knicks check every contender box. Hart adds versatility, Robinson anchors the interior, and the bench has found balance.

What they haven’t proven yet is consistency under pressure. The past three seasons have ended short of the Finals, often due to self-inflicted issues: cold shooting stretches, defensive lapses, or missed execution late in games. All blunders that have cost the Knicks postseason success and even a few series where they were outplayed by teams they were favored against. Which makes Brown’s decision even more significant.

Brown may not have been coaching the team during their struggles in recent postseasons, but he’s still looking to learn from those mistakes. And in doing so, the Knicks have made it clear that this version of the team believes they have enough. Now the hardest part is finally proving that the franchise has turned the corner as real title contenders.