The New York Knicks are a playoff basketball team, at minimum, this season.
Currently, the Knicks are the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 2.5-game lead over the Indiana Pacers.
They'll likely be able to secure their spot as the No. 3 seed as they've got a 45-27 record through 72 games played.
Despite going 5-5 in their past ten games played, they'll see Jalen Brunson's return in the near future. They need to be just good enough to fend off the Pacers for their current seeding.
As New York prepares for the playoffs, simply maintaining decent form while their superstar guard is sidelined should be the focus.
It'll be interesting to see how the squad fares in their final ten contests of the regular season, and what impact that might have on their first-round series.
They've got a chance to help out the No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics -- the reigning champions -- on Friday night, however.
New York Knicks players Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA makes Knicks, Celtics announcement
While the two aren't exactly close in the standings, the Knicks can do the Celtics a favor on Friday night. As the NBA announced, a Knicks loss to the Milwaukee Bucks would clinch the Atlantic Division for the Celtics.
Clinch scenario for Friday, March 28 pic.twitter.com/0M7D57vLm6
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 28, 2025
Boston is fresh off an NBA title last season and that's what they are playing for this season. Clinching the Atlantic Divison title seems inevitable, but New York could speed up that process.
The Knicks happen to be playing a Bucks squad that doesn't have Damian Lillard -- who will be sidelined with deep vein thrombosis -- and with Giannis Antetokounmpo dealing with injury.
Antetokounmpo is questionable. Without the superstar, the Knicks would certainly have a chance to secure victory, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Still, the Celtics have a reason to pay attention to New York's Friday night result.
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This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 7:57 AM.