Mike Brown's first major test as New York's head coach came in a Game 2 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks, where the Knicks held double-digit leads in both halves of the game. The team's performance was largely criticized for its lack of ball- and player-movement, shot-selection, and defensive efficiency. The Knicks' starting five played more regular-season minutes than any other five-man unit this year, making it not even the most-used lineup in basketball. Despite these improvements, Brown failed to address a key defensive issue involving both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. His failure to address this issue was seen as a significant development for the team, with expectations that it will translate to the playoffs.