Streak snapped. New York is again within the win column.
And simply in time, as a result of issues are about to warmth up at Madison Sq. Backyard. The Knicks are set to host six straight groups projected to qualify for the playoffs, a grueling stretch that may take a look at their depth.
The Toronto Raptors aren’t a playoff-bound group and the Knicks dealt with them accordingly, pulling away within the second half for a 112-98 victory at house on Wednesday evening.
This win was obligatory — and anticipated. Of the Knicks’ 19 victories of their 23-game tear main into the New 12 months, 12 got here towards lottery-bound groups and three towards an Orlando Magic squad progressively weakened by accidents with every matchup.
Wednesday’s win improved the Knicks to a powerful 13-3 towards groups not contending for a playoff spot. In opposition to playoff-bound or Play-In hopeful groups, nonetheless, their file sits at a extra modest 12-10.
The stakes will solely rise from right here. The Knicks gained’t see one other lottery staff till Jan. 21, once they journey throughout the bridge to face the Brooklyn Nets. Till then, they’ll endure a punishing slate of playoff-caliber opponents, together with:
A rematch with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
A showdown with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
A gritty battle towards the .500 Detroit Pistons.
A go to to Philadelphia to face Joel Embiid and the 76ers.
Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo’s return to The Backyard with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
And a extremely anticipated rematch with Trae Younger and the Atlanta Hawks, who eradicated the Knicks from the NBA Cup quarterfinal, full with Younger’s notorious dice-rolling celebration at heart courtroom.
After Brooklyn, the Knicks face an equally daunting schedule: Sacramento, Memphis, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, and a rematch with the Raptors in Toronto. Then come extra exams: the reigning champion Boston Celtics, a street matchup towards the Indiana Pacers, and one other showdown with the Hawks main into the All-Star break.
That’s 14 of the subsequent 16 video games towards groups with playoff aspirations.
Which made Wednesday’s win towards the Raptors — particularly after a three-game skid to Oklahoma Metropolis, Chicago, and Orlando — a non-negotiable victory.
And the Knicks delivered.
Toronto’s younger core of Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley made issues fascinating, however they couldn’t match the firepower of a Knicks beginning 5 decided to push this staff to the NBA Finals.
Karl-Anthony Cities and OG Anunoby had been unstoppable, every scoring 27 factors to energy the Knicks’ offense. Anunoby, enjoying towards his former staff, shot a blistering 8-of-13 from the sector and 4-of-6 from deep, whereas Cities appeared contemporary in his return after lacking Monday’s loss to the Magic with proper knee tendinopathy.
Barrett scored 16 factors on 7-of-15 capturing. Quickley added 22 factors on 7-of-12 from the sector, whereas Barnes contributed a balanced line of 18 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Josh Hart was in every single place, ending with 21 factors, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, whereas Jalen Brunson chipped in 13 factors and seven assists, orchestrating the offense together with his ordinary poise.
The sport was properly in hand by the fourth quarter, permitting head coach Tom Thibodeau to empty his bench with three minutes remaining — a uncommon luxurious for a staff whose starters have logged heavy minutes in latest video games.
These three minutes of relaxation had been a welcome reprieve for a beginning 5 that has carried the load by means of a grueling stretch. However they’ll want rather more to arrange for his or her subsequent problem: a rematch with the West’s top-seeded Thunder on Friday evening.
For now, the Knicks are again on observe, however their resolve will probably be examined as they navigate this brutal gauntlet of playoff-caliber opponents. The margin for error is slim, and the way they reply might have implications on end-of-the-season seeding.
Initially Printed: January 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM EST
