The going is hard. The Knicks must be more durable.
With simply 12 video games left to find out playoff seeding, New York owns the NBA’s sixth-toughest remaining schedule, in response to Tankathon, an internet site devoted to monitoring NBA Draft Lottery odds.
They usually’ll must navigate it with out both of their level guards.
Jalen Brunson (proper ankle sprain) and Miles McBride (left groin contusion) stay sidelined, leaving a large playmaking void. The Knicks are down two ball handlers and staring down probably the most grueling closing stretches within the league.
Solely Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio, the Lakers, and Utah face a tougher schedule to finish the season.
QUALITY OF OPPONENT, COMPOUNDED BY PACE
The Knicks nonetheless have two matchups with the East’s No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers — one on the street (April 2), one at Madison Sq. Backyard (April 11). Each video games are a part of back-to-backs for New York. The second can also be the second leg of a back-to-back for Cleveland.
In whole, eight of the Knicks’ closing 12 video games come in opposition to groups both in playoff place or combating for Play-In spots. That features the reigning champion Boston Celtics (April 8), the No. 6-seeded Pistons (April 10), and a tough back-to-back in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns (April 5-6).
New York is 0-3 in opposition to Boston, 0-2 in opposition to Cleveland, and 1-2 in opposition to Detroit this season.
However it’s not simply the opponent high quality — it’s the relentless tempo of schedule.
The Knicks face 4 units of back-to-backs over their closing 12 video games.
Their present stretch contains six video games in 9 nights (Mavericks, Clippers, Bucks, Blazers, 76ers, Cavaliers), adopted by two days off, then 5 video games in seven nights to shut the season. That features back-to-backs in Atlanta-Phoenix and Detroit-Cleveland, with a season finale throughout the river at Brooklyn.
That’s 11 video games in 16 nights — brutal for any staff, not to mention one already on brief legs.
BALANCING ACT: WINNING GAMES VS. PRESERVING HEALTH
Even in a 19-point win over the NBA-worst Washington Wizards, Tom Thibodeau needed to push the starters.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart every performed 38 minutes, Karl-Anthony Cities logged 37, and Cameron Payne performed 30. OG Anunoby added 31. The Wizards minimize a 33-point result in simply 4 within the fourth quarter, forcing Thibodeau’s hand.
Off the bench, Thibodeau used solely 4 gamers: Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Treasured Achiuwa, and rookie Tyler Kolek, who logged a team-high 18 minutes amongst reserves.
With Brunson nonetheless not training and McBride nursing a lingering groin concern, Thibodeau might want to steadiness urgency with warning.
Pushing starters too onerous now might imply taking part in with out them in April.
That will imply extending the bench — even when historical past suggests in any other case.
Exterior of Kolek, the Knicks have veteran PJ Tucker, who’s all the time able to run by means of a wall, and 24-year-old MarJon Beauchamp, a 6-7 wing who defends with vitality and has shot 35.5% from deep in restricted minutes.
There’s additionally rookie Pacome Dadiet, the No. 25 choose within the June draft, who has spent many of the 12 months growing in Westchester.
Thibodeau has historically saved a good rotation. However this schedule would possibly demand improvisation.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESSURE MOUNTING
In the meantime objects within the rear-view mirror are nearer than they seem.
The Indiana Pacers, at the moment fourth within the East, are simply 2.5 video games behind New York and have received seven of their final 10. A 3-game swing might push them previous the Knicks within the standings.
Some would possibly argue that slipping to the No. 4 seed — establishing a first-round matchup with Milwaukee and a possible second-round with Cleveland — is extra favorable than going through Detroit after which Boston. However Milwaukee and Detroit are solely a half-game separated from each other.
The Knicks aren’t frightened about hypotheticals. At the very least not but.
Their precedence: survive this stretch, get wholesome, and peak in April.
With the sixth-hardest schedule within the NBA and their backcourt in road garments, the street received’t be simple.
But when the Knicks handle this stretch proper, they only would possibly enter the postseason at full energy — and able to make a run.
Initially Printed: March 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM EDT
