Just two weeks ago, it seemed the Knicks’ season was on the verge of collapse—after losing two straight games to the Hawks in the first round, another early exit looked inevitable. But in just 16 days, everything has flipped. New York has won seven consecutive games, boasting an average margin of victory of 26.4 points, transforming into the overwhelming favorite to capture the Eastern Conference crown.
The series-clinching win against the Philadelphia 76ers (114-144) was almost anticlimactic given its historical significance. The Knicks exploded out of the gate in the first quarter (24-43), rendering the rest of the game a formality. Philadelphia had no answer for New York’s unstoppable, flawless performance. The Knicks set a franchise postseason scoring record and tied the NBA playoff record for three-pointers made in a quarter (11), at halftime (18), and by game’s end (25).
History is being written, and the Knicks are fulfilling the dreams of a fanbase that endured a quarter-century of drought. Until this season, the last time New York reached the conference finals was the 1998-99 season, featuring Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell. The last championship came in 1972-73, and the back-to-back appearances in 1971-72 and 1972-73 marked the only consecutive East finals trips in franchise history—until now.
Jalen Brunson is carving out a legendary era in New York. In Game 4 of this series, he surpassed Nikola Jokic to become the NBA’s leading scorer in the playoffs since the 2022-23 season—exactly when he arrived in NYC. In his four seasons with the Knicks, the team has reached at least the semifinals every year. With the Pacers, who eliminated them the last two seasons, out of the picture, New York can now reach the NBA Finals for the first time in over 50 years. Four more wins stand in their way.
Brunson’s leadership is undeniable, especially considering he arrived from Dallas as a secondary piece behind Luka Doncic. He has consistently elevated his game in the postseason, averaging 3.25 more points per game in the playoffs than in the regular season over four years—already an elite regular-season scorer. Even without a ring, he has proven to be the perfect leader for a winning project.
The Knicks have also silenced doubts about their long-term potential. They boast one of the best starting lineups in the league, with players covering every facet of the game, plus an elite head coach. Injuries had plagued them in recent years, with Tom Thibodeau’s high-intensity philosophy taking its toll. Despite the controversial firing of Thibodeau after last season’s historic run, the decision to hire Mike Brown has looked shrewd. New York hasn’t regressed in the regular season and feels fresher deeper into the playoffs. The pieces are in place for a championship push.
