Knicks news: David Fizdale explains decision to pull out all starters in second half of blowout loss to Raptors

In their loss to the Raptors, Knicks coach David Fizdale called a timeout just over a minute into the third quarter to take out all of his starting five.

In their loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday, New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale called a timeout just over a minute into the third quarter. The timeout served two purposes: to pacify the red-hot shooting from the Raptors and for Fizdale to pull out all of his starters.

After the game, Fizdale explained his move, noting that the quintet simply wasn't getting the job done.

“Not getting it done,’’ Fizdale said of his decision to remove all of his starting five from the game, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.

“Not playing at a level I want to see the game played at. Everyone out there owned it. I can’t waste a minute to let them wallow.’’

Come the fourth quarter, the Raptors' lead ballooned to 38 points — the biggest lead of the game. To add further insult, Kawhi Leonard — arguably the Raptors' best offensive and defensive player — did not suit up to rest.

The Knicks defense allowed 10-of-18 3-pointers in the first half alone. In the end, a total of eight Raptors players logged in double-figures in points, led by Pascal Siakam’s 19 markers. Kyle Lowry, who exited the game with an ankle injury, scored 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds in 26 minutes.