The New York Knicks were off on Thursday night as they prepare to travel to Fiserv Forum to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
While the Knicks did not play on Thursday, they did have something at stake that had to do with the matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat.
Entering Thursday's contest, the Knicks needed the Heat to defeat the Hawks in order to clinch a playoff spot and that is exactly what happened as Miami defeated Atlanta 122-112.
New York now clinches a top six seed in the Eastern Conference entering the playoffs and it is likely that they will remain in the third seed unless the Indiana Pacers continue to make a late run.
Feb 28, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts with guard Jalen Brunson (11) after the New York Knicks take the lead against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Of course, the Knicks lead the Pacers by two and a half games for the third seed and they are also eight and a half games behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed.
After clinching a playoff spot on Thursday, the Knicks posted a single-word statement on social media.
"CLINCHED," New York posted on X after they clinched a playoff spot.
Your New York Knicks have clinched a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/ciRZEGE4xq
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 28, 2025
By clinching a playoff spot, the Knicks became the third team to do so in the East along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics.
Of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder have also already clinched a playoff spot as they have already secured the top seed in the Western Conference.
While the Knicks will be a top six seed in the East once the playoffs begin, they desperately need their roster to get healthy as they are still without their superstar point guard Jalen Brunson who has been out since March 6 due to a sprained ankle.
New York has also seen Miles McBride and Cameron Payne deal with injuries, but if the Knicks are able to be fully healthy once the playoffs begin, they may be able to make a title run led by Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 11:04 PM.