The New York Knicks have had a solid season thus far and they look as though they are going to be a threat in the Eastern Conference once the playoffs begin.
New York currently sits third in the East standings with a 43-24 record and that is likely where they will end up as they are six games back of the Boston Celtics for the second seed and five games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the fourth seed.
Of course, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have led the way for the Knicks this season but the rest of their roster has also played a key role in their success.
While the Knicks have had a great season thus far, they have struggled against the top teams in the NBA as they are winless against the top two seeds in both the East and West this season.
Because of this, the Knicks may struggle later on in the playoffs but former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Udonis Haslem believes that New York could face problems in the first round of the playoffs if they match up against the Detroit Pistons.
"I'm looking at Detroit and I'm saying this could be a first-round exit for New York," Haslem said on ESPN's NBA Today.
UD on a potential Knicks/Pistons matchup:
"I'm looking at Detroit and I'm saying this could be a 1st round exit for New York" pic.twitter.com/rQR1w4bYAV
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 18, 2025
This is an interesting take by Haslem but one that also makes sense. Of course, the Knicks and Pistons would match up against each other if the playoffs began today but Detroit could also climb the standings as well.
Detroit has been the surprise team in the NBA this season and the Knicks may have trouble against them in the playoffs thanks to their size and also having to find a way to defend Cade Cunningham.
New York would also have to stop Jalen Duren in the paint and with Towns struggling on the defensive end, that could be a matchup to watch if the two teams faced each other in the first round.
Despite this, the Knicks have more playoff experience than the Pistons which may give them the edge, but it would still be an entertaining series and one that could be troublesome for New York.
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM.