INDIANAPOLIS — Tom Thibodeau is normally so resistant to changes in his starting lineup and rotations.

Was it a bit of desperation? A stroke of genius?

Either way, his drastic change in approach worked. More than worked, it helped spark the Knicks comeback in their 106-100 Game 3 win over the Pacers Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

He gave Delon Wright his first real minutes of the postseason — ahead of Cam Payne, who is normally ahead of him in the rotation. Payne did not play as a result. Thibodeau also gave Landry Shamet his first meaningful minutes of the postseason, utilizing a nine-man rotation. Thibodeau had previously only played eight, or at times seven, players since the playoffs began.

“High-character guys,” Thibodeau said. “Both guys have done a good job. We picked up Delon late. Landry’s been terrific all year. … He’s played really well, he’s great for the team, he’s always ready. The same can be said for Delon. They’re really, really good pros. When I say that, I mean they do the right thing every day. That goes a long way. It’s not just lip service, it’s doing the actual work, which I think is important.”

Delon Wright (0) of the New York Knicks looks for an opening as T.J. McConnell (9) of the Indiana Pacers defends during the first quarter of Game 3.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

They both were on the court for the last 1:39 of the third quarter and for the start of the fourth quarter, when the Knicks turned a 13-point deficit to a three-point deficit by the time both checked back out.

Wright finished with two points in 13 minutes. Shamet finished with three points in 11 minutes. The boxscore might not show a major impact, but it was apparent to the eye test.

They finished plus-2 and plus-12, respectively. Four of the five Knicks starters finished in the negative, on the other hand — all of them besides Karl-Anthony Towns.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pointed to the Knicks having their better defenders on the court during the comeback. Wright and Shamet were right in the middle of that.

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“It’s the playoffs. You need everybody,” Shamet said. “Rotations shorten in the playoffs, we all know that. You need everybody. It’s been my intention, it’s been our intention from the get-go — we talked about it, all of us. We need everybody. … It’s our job to be ready — big minutes, no minutes for a long stretch, it’s your job.”

Their extended playing time was also due to Miles McBride’s early foul trouble. He picked up two fouls in 10 seconds and three fouls in 1:22 (82 seconds) in the first quarter.

Landry Shamet (44) of the Knicks defends against T.J. McConnell (9) of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter of Game 3.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter of Game 3. Getty Images

McBride was scoreless entering the fourth quarter, but then added nine down the stretch. He played pivotal fourth-quarter minutes after Jalen Brunson got into his own foul trouble.

“Whatever gives your team the best chance to win,” Thibodeau said. “I know you try to put everything into a box, I don’t work that way. … I just want to win. Whatever gives us the best chance to win, that’s what we’re gonna do. That’s what I felt gave us the best chance to win tonight’s game.”

Throughout his career, Thibodeau has been criticized for not going to his bench. But with the season pretty much on the line, Thibodeau’s use of his bench was pivotal.