NEW YORK — Stars around the NBA have seen their efficiency numbers drop in the playoffs, including New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. When asked about the dip, head coach Tim Thibodeau provided some insight before Game 4 between the two sides.
“I think that tends to be the case,” Thibodeau said when asked if the dip in efficiency coincides with increased playoff ball pressure. “Usually, any time you put more than one onto the ball, that means other guys are going to be open. So, you’re weighing, ‘How much are you going to commit to that?’ And then, does that open things up for other players? And that’s what great players do, they’re going to put that pressure on you.”
Throughout the postseason thus far, Brunson is shooting 42.0% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc. Tatum is shooting 39.5% from the floor and 35.5% from deep.
How are Jalen Brunson and Jayson Tatum being covered?
Both stars in the Celtics-Knicks series have seen a variety of different coverages throughout the three games.
Boston is guarding Brunson primarily with Jrue Holiday, but he’s worked to get switches onto Al Horford, too. Neither of those two matchups has worked out for the Knicks guard, though. He’s shooting a combined 11-of-32 against both of them.
When he drives into paint, the Celtics send bodies there to make him uncomfortable, helping off the likes of Josh Hart in order to protect the rim.
As for Tatum, the Knicks have thrown a few different coverages at him. Early in the series, they were accepting the switch, allowing Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson to guard him one-on-one. Tatum took advantage of those spots.
Since then, they’ve been doing whatever possible to keep OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges on him, even having Jalen Brunson hedge screens, which bothered Tatum in Game 2. However, he and the Celtics adjusted in Game 4 by having the screener get out of the play quicker in order to space the floor.
What other stars are struggling?
Tatum and Brunson aren’t the only ones who have shot poorly this postseason.
Nikola Jokic is having a brutal playoff run thus far, shooting 45.5% from the field and 33.9% from deep, but both of those numbers are down in his series against the Oklahoma City Thunder (39.1% FG, 21.4% 3PT).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had some rough showings, too, shooting 43.6% from the field and 23.4% from distance.
Both guys have seen multiple bodies thrown at them, especially when they have gotten to their comfort spots on the floor.