The New York Knicks have had a solid season thus far but they have hit a rough patch recently.
New York currently sits third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 45-27 record but they have lost five of their last 10 games and are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Of course, the Knicks' recent struggles have mainly been due to injuries including a sprained ankle that has kept their star point guard Jalen Brunson out of the lineup since March 6.
Despite this, the Knicks are still positioned well in the East standings and although they have a rest day on Thursday before their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, New York does have something at stake on Thursday night.
Ahead of Thursday night's slate, the NBA announced that the Knicks will clinch a playoff spot with a loss by the Atlanta Hawks in Thursday's contest against the Miami Heat.
Postseason scenarios for Thursday, March 27 pic.twitter.com/GQJDnOxLM2
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 27, 2025
If Miami defeats Atlanta, it would also officially eliminate the Brooklyn Nets from playoff contention.
Of course, it is a matter of if, not when, the Knicks officially clinch a playoff spot but it could come on Thursday night.
If the Hawks do lose, New York would be just the third team in the East to clinch a playoff spot as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics have already done so.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the only other team to clinch a playoff spot outside of the Cavaliers and Celtics as they have already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference.
While the Knicks could clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night, their main focus for the rest of the season is holding off the Indiana Pacers for the third seed in the East while also trying to turn things around before the playoffs begin.
Either way, it looks as though the Knicks will be a contender this season, but they desperately need Brunson to return fully healthy if they want to make a championship run.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM.