The New York Knicks are heading back to the playoffs for the first time in 2 seasons. With their latest win over the Washington Wizards, the Knicks have clinched a playoff spot and are on pace to place 5th in the Eastern conference going into the playoffs.
The Knicks have had much success this season and now they will be able to see how they fare against the other playoff teams in their quest for an NBA title.
The playoff birth that the Knicks have clinched is a reward for how well they have been playing all season long. Coming after the disappointment of last season, expectations from Knicks fans were high to return to the playoffs and find similar levels of success that the team had during the 2020-21 NBA season.
A main reason why the expectations for the team had risen was the offseason signing of free agent guard Jalen Brunson. Brunsons was offered a very lucrative contract and many fans were unsure if he would be able to play up to the standard that the large contract entails. Throughout this season, many in the NBA community feel Brunson has been nothing short of spectacular. Brunson has increased his scoring output from last year by 8 points averaging 24 ppg this year compared to 16 ppg from last season, as well as assuming a leadership role next to the Knick’s other star in Julius Randle.
Randle had entered last offseason on a bad note after a disappointing season which ended with the Knicks failing to make the playoffs. After his great 2020-21 NBA season where he won most improved player and led the Knicks to their first playoffs in 8 years, Randle had seemed to regress and the fans and organization alike were questioning if he had fallen off.
Since last season, Randle has returned to form and became an All-Star again. However, Randle isn’t the only player to have seemed to return to form this season.
Immanuel Quickley has also been a very reliable playmaker and scorer for the team this year while coming off the bench. Quickley was lauded for his impressive rookie campaign two seasons ago. After last season where not much appeared to be happening with him in terms of development, Quickley is widely regarded this season as being a top contender for the NBA sixth-man of the year award.
While key players this season has certainly played a part in turning their fortunes around from last season. It still remains to be seen what playoff basketball will look like for this team.
The Knicks are in the pace right now where securing the 5th seed in the east looks likely. If they were to obtain the 5th seed, they would be going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. The series would be close, as the Knicks and Cavaliers have both proved to have matched up competitively against each other throughout their season series meetings with the Knicks winning the season series three games to one. Baring Injuries, the series would look to be one of the most competitive and exciting series in this first round of the upcoming Playoffs.