The 2024-25 season came to an abrupt end for the New York Knicks on Saturday as they fell in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers.
New York dug themselves into a 2-0 hole after dropping the first two games at Madison Square Garden and they were never able to dig back out of it despite extending the series to six games.
May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts in the second quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts in the second quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Of course, the Pacers are now headed to the NBA Finals where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder while the Knicks’ championship hopes are now gone.
On Tuesday, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski took a shot at the Knicks following their playoff exit.
“I'm glad it was the Pacers, not the Knicks, because I feel like if it was the Knicks, it would have been a sweep... I don't think the Knicks had enough to compete with OKC,” Podziemski said.
This is a bold statement by Podziemski, especially due to the fact that the Knicks had built a roster capable of challenging the Thunder for the championship.
Despite this, New York’s struggles on the defensive end throughout the playoffs would have once again been a major factor if the would have been able to reach the Finals, along with their lack of depth compared to the Thunder.
Of course, the Pacers enter the NBA Finals as the underdogs but Podziemski believes that they will give the Thunder a tougher fight than the Knicks would have.
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Phoenix Suns.
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For New York, they now enter the offseason with some key decisions to make regarding their roster along with undergoing a search for a new head coach after their shocking decision to fire Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday.
Because of this, the Knicks’ offseason now becomes one of the most important summers in recent franchise history as they try to build a championship roster to contend for a title next season.