Will the NYK NBA Team Make a Playoff Run This Season?

As I sit here watching the Knicks struggle through another fourth-quarter collapse, I can't help but wonder if this franchise is finally ready to turn the corner. The question on every New York basketball fan's mind this season is whether our beloved NYK team can actually make a serious playoff run. Having followed this team through decades of disappointment and brief moments of glory, I've developed a healthy skepticism about getting too excited too early. But something feels different this year, and it's not just the usual preseason optimism that inevitably fades by December.

I was particularly struck by Coach Tom Thibodeau's recent comments about his approach to managing players during the offseason. He mentioned, "I'm going to watch a game or two. Obviously, we still have practice everyday so I have to be back in practice." This seemingly casual remark actually reveals quite a bit about the team's current mindset. Thibodeau has always been known for his relentless work ethic, but this balanced approach suggests he understands the importance of pacing his team through the grueling 82-game season. In previous years, I've seen the Knicks start strong only to fade after the All-Star break, largely due to exhaustion and injuries. Last season, the team went 47-35 but clearly ran out of gas during the second round of playoffs against Miami. The statistics tell a concerning story - the Knicks ranked 28th in fourth-quarter scoring efficiency after March 1st, which directly contributed to their postseason exit.

What gives me hope this year is the improved depth of the roster. The acquisition of Donte DiVincenzo adds another reliable three-point shooter to complement Jalen Brunson's playmaking. Speaking of Brunson, his playoff performance last year was nothing short of spectacular - averaging 27.8 points and 5.6 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field. Those numbers aren't just good; they're franchise-player caliber. I've watched every Knicks game since 1998, and I haven't seen a guard take control of playoff games like Brunson did since the days of Walt Frazier. The way he dissects defenses reminds me of a young Chris Paul, though I suspect many readers might find that comparison a bit generous.

The Eastern Conference landscape has shifted dramatically since last season. Milwaukee's acquisition of Damian Lillard creates another superteam, while Boston remains the conference favorite with their core intact. Miami, as always, will be dangerous because of their culture and coaching. But looking at the Knicks' potential path to the playoffs, I see reasons for cautious optimism. The team's defensive identity under Thibodeau gives them a floor that many other teams lack. Last season, they ranked third in defensive rating at 111.4 points per 100 possessions, and I expect them to maintain similar efficiency this year. Defense travels well in the playoffs, and it's what separates regular season success from postseason advancement.

Where I have concerns is the offensive consistency, particularly from beyond the arc. The Knicks attempted the fourth-fewest three-pointers in the league last season at 31.2 per game, while making only 34.9% of them. In today's NBA, that's simply not enough volume or efficiency to compete with the top offenses. Julius Randle's playoff struggles are well-documented - his career postseason shooting percentage drops to 34.4% compared to 45.9% in regular season games. As much as I appreciate Randle's regular season contributions, his inability to maintain efficiency in playoff settings has been frustrating to watch year after year.

The development of RJ Barrett will be another crucial factor. At just 23 years old, he's already shown flashes of being a reliable secondary scorer, but his shooting efficiency needs significant improvement. His career 42.3% field goal percentage simply won't cut it for a player with his usage rate. I've noticed his shot selection has improved gradually, but he still takes too many contested mid-range jumpers instead of attacking the rim or moving the ball. If Barrett can elevate his game to become a consistent 20-point scorer on better efficiency, it would completely change the Knicks' offensive ceiling.

Looking at the schedule, the Knicks have what appears to be a relatively manageable first half, with only 12 games against projected playoff teams in their first 35 contests. This gives them an opportunity to build confidence and establish rotations before facing tougher competition later in the season. Last year, they started 20-15 through December, which provided crucial cushion when they hit their mid-season slump. The chemistry between Brunson and Randle continues to improve, and I've been particularly impressed with how Mitchell Robinson has developed into one of the league's premier offensive rebounders, averaging 4.5 per game last season.

My prediction? The Knicks will finish as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record. They'll win their first-round playoff series in six games before falling to Milwaukee or Boston in the second round. While this might not qualify as a deep playoff run in the traditional sense, it represents meaningful progress for a franchise that has spent most of the past two decades in mediocrity. The foundation is there, and with smart roster moves and continued player development, this team could become a legitimate contender within the next two seasons. For now, I'll enjoy watching them compete meaningful basketball games in April and May, something that felt like a distant dream just a few years ago.