It’s springtime in New York, which means the NHL and NBA seasons have reached the playoffs. While the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, and Brooklyn Nets all fell short of a playoff berth in their respective leagues, the Knicks should give fans an exciting, intriguing run. After another dominant regular season, the Knicks finished 51-31, earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference. With some of the most passionate fans in sports, stars such as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and strong leadership from head coach Tom Thibodeau, hopes of reaching the NBA Finals—and bringing the city its first championship since 1973—have arguably never been higher.
Opponent Profile: Detroit Pistons
The path won’t be easy, as the Knicks will face tough competition in every round. The first round is no exception, as they take on the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons. This marks the Pistons’ first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season, and the three home games in the Motor City will be packed with fans eager to see playoff basketball return. Detroit is a young team, built on toughness and resilience. They go as far as rising star point guard Cade Cunningham takes them—his emergence this season has been a major reason for their success.
Another key piece of Detroit’s resurgence is head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Let go by the Cleveland Cavaliers despite multiple playoff appearances, he was quickly picked up by Detroit, who identified him as their top choice. The hire has paid off. Bickerstaff emphasizes toughness, and this Pistons squad is a perfect reflection of that. With their scrappy, energetic style, they pose a serious challenge to the Knicks. To win this series, New York will need to control the glass and limit Detroit’s scoring runs.
Knicks Keys to Success:
For the Knicks to make a deep playoff run, they must get meaningful contributions from their bench and, most importantly, stay healthy. Coach Tom Thibodeau is known for playing his starters heavy minutes—a strategy that backfired last postseason. The Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, but OG Anunoby suffered an injury, largely due to playing 40 of the 48 minutes per game. In the next series against Indiana, the Knicks looked slower and less aggressive. In Game 7 at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, they were blown out by the lower-seeded Pacers. It was later revealed that nearly the entire starting lineup was battling serious injuries throughout the series.
This year, the Knicks have more depth. Guards Miles “Deuce” McBride and Landry Shamet, veteran forward PJ Tucker, and big man Mitchell Robinson provide options off the bench. But the question remains: will Thibodeau trust them enough to give the starters some rest? If the bench can step up and keep the core players healthy, the Knicks could be a legitimate title threat. If not, fatigue may once again cut their postseason dreams short.
Predictions:
Round One: vs Detroit Pistons:
The Pistons are tough and physical, and they’ll battle hard with the Knicks throughout the series. But they’re still a young team, lacking the playoff experience New York brings. The Knicks also boast the more talented roster. Wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges will do enough to contain Cade Cunningham and help the Knicks prevail in six games.
Prediction: Knicks in six
Round Two: vs Boston Celtics
While the Pistons present a challenge, Boston is on another level. The defending champions went undefeated against the Knicks during the regular season and entered the 2024-25 campaign as the clear Eastern Conference favorites. New York tailored its offseason around building a roster capable of matching up with Boston.
After a likely sweep of the Magic, the Celtics will be more rested, while the Knicks may still be recovering from their battle with Detroit. Boston will win the first two games at home. The Knicks will split the next two at MSG, then steal Game 5 in Boston behind a stellar Karl-Anthony Towns performance. But in Game 6, back at the Garden, the Celtics will close it out and end the Knicks’ season in front of their home crowd—another tough, second-round exit.
Prediction: Celtics in six
