Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks drives the ball against Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons
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Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks drives the ball against Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons.
The New York Knicks may not control the top of the Eastern Conference, but recent developments have created a new opening.
With the Detroit Pistons facing uncertainty surrounding Cade Cunningham, the Knicks are positioning themselves to make a late push in the standings.
Knicks Lurking With Favorable Schedule
New York is entering the stretch run with momentum.
The Knicks improved to 46-25 and are riding a four-game winning streak following Tuesday’s 136-110 rout of the Indiana Pacers — a result made more notable by the absence of Jalen Brunson, who took the night off with ankle injury management and neck strain.
They have now gone 7-3 over their last 10 games, showing consistency at a critical point in the season.
New York also benefits from one of the more favorable closing schedules in the conference. Their remaining 12 games rank as the eighth-softest slate, with opponents holding a combined .482 winning percentage, according to Tankathon.
That combination of momentum and schedule strength could position the Knicks to capitalize if the standings above them begin to shift.
Knicks Quietly Dominating Since January Turnaround
The New York Knicks have been more than just steady — they’ve been one of the league’s best teams over an extended stretch.
Since a 2-9 skid in January, New York has gone 20-7 over its last 27 games, a mark tied with the Boston Celtics and better than the Detroit Pistons’ 18-9 record in that same span.
The Knicks have done it with balance on both ends of the floor, posting the No. 1 defensive rating (105.4) in the league during that stretch while also ranking fifth in offensive rating (117.9) and best net rating (12.5).
That two-way production has quietly transformed New York into one of the most complete teams in the Eastern Conference heading into the final weeks of the season.
Opportunity Opens After Cunningham Injury
The race shifted following a major development in Detroit.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Cunningham has been diagnosed with a mild collapsed lung and is expected to miss multiple weeks, with optimism centered on a potential return around the start of the playoffs or shortly after.
“It’s going to be at least a pair of weeks,” Charania said on ESPN’s Get Up, noting that uncertainty remains around treatment and recovery.
Cunningham’s absence removes Detroit’s offensive engine during a crucial portion of the schedule, opening the door for teams like New York to gain ground.
Pistons Have Dominated Knicks Matchup
Despite the opportunity, the Knicks face a significant hurdle when it comes to closing the gap.
The Pistons have dominated the season series, going 3-0 against New York and winning by a combined 84 points — an average margin of 28 points per game.
That dominance not only highlights the matchup disparity but also gives Detroit a firm grip on the head-to-head tiebreaker, meaning New York would likely need to surpass the Pistons outright in the standings.
Celtics Also Applying Pressure
The Boston Celtics are also gaining ground.
Boston sits at 46-23 and has gone 4-1 since the return of Jayson Tatum, further tightening the race at the top of the conference.
Race Becoming More Complex
The Eastern Conference picture is no longer straightforward.
Detroit still holds the No. 1 seed at 49-19 and remains one win away from its first 50-win season since 2007-08 — a remarkable turnaround from a 14-68 campaign just three seasons ago.
But Cunningham’s injury introduces uncertainty at a time when consistency matters most.
Knicks Positioning for Late Push
For the Knicks, the path is clear but challenging.
They must continue to build on their recent momentum, take advantage of their favorable schedule, and remain healthy.
While the gap remains significant, the combination of opportunity and timing gives New York a realistic chance to climb.
And in a race that suddenly feels more open, the Knicks are firmly in the conversation.