Monica McNutt finds the New York Knicks’ approach to an injured rotation rather unhealthy.

The Georgetown basketball star turned Knicks analyst addressed one of New York’s most glaring basketball problems following its latest loss Sunday, noting that the team’s loyalty to a shortened rotation has left them made “desperate” to regain health.

The Knicks (4-5) lost a 132-121 decision to the Indiana Pacers Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“In the third quarter, (Pacers head coach) Rick Carlisle has the embarrassment of riches, he goes to 10,” said McNutt, the lead color commentator for the Knicks’ radio broadcasts on ESPN New York , on the MSG Network post-game show (h/t New York Basketball on X). “Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton get a chance to rest. So they come in the fourth quarter and literally go gangbusters, they’re so effective.”

The Knicks’ depth took its share of hits early: Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson have yet to play this season while Cameron Payne missed his third straight game.

Indiana, however, could hardly sympathize, as it was missing second-unit stars like Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin. Carlisle and Co. nevertheless used their bench, giving nine men at least eight minutes of action. In contrast, the Knicks played eight men total and one (rookie Tyler Kolek) only played two minutes. The four New York starters played at least 36 minutes in the defeat.

“To me, by the time you get to the fourth quarter, the starters look exhausted,” McNutt said. “So the rotations are suffering defensively. They were okay in terms of scoring, but when you compare that to the efficiency and effectiveness, the Pacers were able to be. It’s hard to look at those margins.”

Going back to McNutt’s point, the Knicks shot 55.4 percent from the field while Jalen Brunson And Cities of Karl-Anthony each scored at least 30. But a late Indiana attack condemned New York to its third loss in the last four games, as the Pacers made eight three-pointers en route to a 40- 27 in the last period.

The Knicks’ next opportunity to show if they’ve learned their lesson comes Tuesday night when they open the NBA Cup group game against the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).

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