The New York Knicks’ pitiful report towards the three finest groups within the NBA simply acquired worse with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The New York Knicks made a number of win-now trades this summer time to grow to be an instantaneous championship contender. They spent quite a lot of belongings to accumulate Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets earlier than splashing on Karl-Anthony Cities from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even with these two acquisitions, the Knicks have been a step behind the NBA’s elite all season. The workforce lately signed PJ Tucker to the roster, however Tucker received’t assist them with Jalen Brunson at the moment out injured. There’s inner commotion as nicely, with Bridges lately having to publicly name out coach Tom Thibodeau for taking part in him extreme minutes.
Their issues had been evident of their 105-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 2. Regardless of taking a 15-point lead within the first half, the Knicks fell aside and misplaced by 19 factors.
They’re now 0-8 towards the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and OKC Thunder. These are the three groups with the perfect report within the NBA, and the Knicks have did not beat them even as soon as, prompting some panic.
The Knicks followers count on glory each season they’re within the Playoffs, even when the workforce is able to persevering with or not. Now that there’s a transparent win-now route that’s not labored completely, followers are being actually harsh about their hopes as contenders.
“They’re such a fraudulent workforce,” one fan wrote.
One other added: “Wholesome or not, the Knicks simply can’t appear to constantly put up a top quality efficiency towards a championship contender. It’s irritating, however I’m hoping it modifications in a couple of weeks.”
An additional remark learn: “I’m not as down on Bridges as most Knicks followers are. He’s really having a very good season, however he could have so much to show within the playoffs. One more no-show towards a contender tonight.”
“Pacers are 3-4 towards the identical 3 groups. And other people wanna act just like the Knicks are extra of a contender than the Pacers are,” one fan identified.
One other viewer forecasted, “The Knicks are such a pretend workforce man. Smh. First or 2nd spherical exits at finest.”
One other annoyed fan wrote: “This recreation proper right here proves clearly that OG is the second choice on the workforce. KAT is _____ng the mattress towards an elite contender and we will’t have that.”
Karl-Anthony Cities put up 25 factors and 13 rebounds, whereas OG Anunoby had 22 factors, six rebounds, and 6 assists. Josh Hart’s 19 factors weren’t sufficient of a contribution, particularly as Mikal Bridges had a quiet eight-point night time.
Although Brunson was out with an damage, this was an embarrassing loss for the Knicks. It doesn’t appear to be they’re on the degree of the perfect simply but, much more so with out their finest participant.
The Knicks are well-placed to complete the season because the No. 3 seed within the East. They’ve a three-game lead over the Indiana Pacers at the moment, and in the event that they finish the season at No. 3, they’ll probably face the Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical.
The Bucks are probably going to be with out Damian Lillard, which is able to make them a a lot simpler out. They will’t escape a possible Celtics matchup within the second spherical, the place issues might go haywire for them. But when the Celtics come into the Playoffs battered, the Knicks might spring an upset, though unlikely.
No season is over till you’ve really misplaced. We all know the Knicks are going to play as arduous as potential to make sure they will make the Finals, if not win the title. Even when the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Thunder had their quantity within the Playoffs, New York can be seeking to reply when it issues probably the most.
They received’t be on-paper favorites this season, however their efficiency within the 2025 Playoffs will set the tone for the way forward for this group as at the moment constructed.
