Back-to-backs, big tests, and a tight race: Knicks face a gauntlet in mad dash to the playoffs
The going is tough. The Knicks have to be tougher.
With just 12 games left to determine playoff seeding, New York owns the NBA’s sixth-toughest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon, a website dedicated to tracking NBA Draft Lottery odds.
And they’ll have to navigate it without either of their point guards.
Jalen Brunson (right ankle sprain) and Miles McBride (left groin contusion) remain sidelined, leaving a massive playmaking void. The Knicks are down two ball handlers and staring down one of the most grueling final stretches in the league.
Only Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio, the Lakers, and Utah face a more difficult schedule to end the season.
QUALITY OF OPPONENT, COMPOUNDED BY PACE
The Knicks still have two matchups with the East’s No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers — one on the road (April 2), one at Madison Square Garden (April 11). Both games are part of back-to-backs for New York. The second is also the second leg of a back-to-back for Cleveland.
In total, eight of the Knicks’ final 12 games come against teams either in playoff position or fighting for Play-In spots. That includes the reigning champion Boston Celtics (April 8), the No. 6-seeded Pistons (April 10), and a tricky back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns (April 5-6).
New York is 0-3 against Boston, 0-2 against Cleveland, and 1-2 against Detroit this season.
But it’s not just the opponent quality — it’s the relentless pace of schedule.
The Knicks face four sets of back-to-backs over their final 12 games.
Their current stretch includes six games in nine nights (Mavericks, Clippers, Bucks, Blazers, 76ers, Cavaliers), followed by two days off, then five games in seven nights to close the season. That includes back-to-backs in Atlanta-Phoenix and Detroit-Cleveland, with a season finale across the river at Brooklyn.
That’s 11 games in 16 nights — brutal for any team, let alone one already on short legs.
BALANCING ACT: WINNING GAMES VS. PRESERVING HEALTH
Even in a 19-point win over the NBA-worst Washington Wizards, Tom Thibodeau had to push the starters.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart each played 38 minutes, Karl-Anthony Towns logged 37, and Cameron Payne played 30. OG Anunoby added 31. The Wizards cut a 33-point lead to just four in the fourth quarter, forcing Thibodeau’s hand.
Off the bench, Thibodeau used only four players: Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Precious Achiuwa, and rookie Tyler Kolek, who logged a team-high 18 minutes among reserves.
With Brunson still not practicing and McBride nursing a lingering groin issue, Thibodeau will need to balance urgency with caution.
Pushing starters too hard now could mean playing without them in April.
That may mean extending the bench — even if history suggests otherwise.
Outside of Kolek, the Knicks have veteran PJ Tucker, who’s always ready to run through a wall, and 24-year-old MarJon Beauchamp, a 6-7 wing who defends with energy and has shot 35.5% from deep in limited minutes.
There’s also rookie Pacome Dadiet, the No. 25 pick in the June draft, who has spent most of the year developing in Westchester.
Thibodeau has traditionally kept a tight rotation. But this schedule might demand improvisation.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESSURE MOUNTING
Meanwhile objects in the rear-view mirror are closer than they appear.
The Indiana Pacers, currently fourth in the East, are just 2.5 games behind New York and have won seven of their last 10. A three-game swing could push them past the Knicks in the standings.
Some might argue that slipping to the No. 4 seed — setting up a first-round matchup with Milwaukee and a potential second-round with Cleveland — is more favorable than facing Detroit and then Boston. But Milwaukee and Detroit are only a half-game separated from one another.
The Knicks aren’t worried about hypotheticals. At least not yet.
Their priority: survive this stretch, get healthy, and peak in April.
With the sixth-hardest schedule in the NBA and their backcourt in street clothes, the road won’t be easy.
But if the Knicks manage this stretch right, they just might enter the postseason at full strength — and ready to make a run.
-
2025 NBA playoff race, standings, seeding: Are the Warriors legit championship contenders? | The Kevin O'Connor Show
The Warriors have a 13-1 mark with Jimmy Butler in the lineup, but the Warriors' toughest battles loom on the horizon with the Knicks, Nuggets and Bucks.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Analyzing Knicks' potential first-round matchups for 2025 NBA playoffs
With the NBA Playoffs just one month away, let's dive into the Knicks' potential first round matchup and how they stack up against each of them.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Knicks vs. Warriors prediction, odds, line, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 15 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks, predictions, and best bets for Saturday's Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks gameCBS Sports - Mar. 15 -
Knicks Make Unfortunate Announcement Ahead of Mavericks Game
The New York Knicks have made an unfortunate announcement ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Jennifer Hudson gets nailed in the face sitting courtside with Common at a Knicks game
Jennifer Hudson gets whacked in the face as a basketball flies courtside at a New York Knicks game. Tell Common that doesn't happen in the cheap seats.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 5 -
Knicks vs. Kings odds, score prediction, time: 2025 NBA picks, March 10 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA predictions for the Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks on MondayCBS Sports - Mar. 10 -
Knicks vs. Hornets odds, line, score prediction, time: 2025 NBA picks, March 20 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks for New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets on ThursdayCBS Sports - 5d -
Knicks vs. Mavericks odds, score prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 25 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA predictions for the Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks on TuesdayCBS Sports - 20h -
Jalen Brunson injury update: Knicks star out of walking boot, team expects regular-season return
The Knicks can't have a limited Brunson if they hope to make any playoff noiseCBS Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 54m -
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 57m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 57m -
NFL mock draft 2025: AI predicts the entire first round
USA TODAY Sports had Microsoft Copilot predict the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The chatbot's mock had some surprising selections and omissions.Yahoo Sports - 59m
More in Sports
-
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 54m -
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 57m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 57m -
NFL mock draft 2025: AI predicts the entire first round
USA TODAY Sports had Microsoft Copilot predict the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The chatbot's mock had some surprising selections and omissions.Yahoo Sports - 59m