Since the New York Knicks began this stunning organizational turnaround in 2020-21, they’ve checked off many boxes. In 2021, they broke an eight-year playoff drought. Their 2023 first-round victory against Cleveland was their first series win in a decade. In 2024, the Knicks won back-to-back series for the first time since 1999-2000. The franchise has now made the playoffs four times in five seasons for the first time since earning a postseason birth in fourteen consecutive years from 1988-2001. NY is still searching for a Conference Finals appearance after injuries cost them a chance in 2024; they last reached the ECF in 2000. Well, they can check off a huge milestone Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden for the first time this century.
Knicks Can Clinch Series At Home for First Time Since 1999
As shocking as it may seem, the Knicks haven’t clinched a postseason series victory on their home floor in nearly 26 years. It’s truly a mark of how downtrodden this franchise has been for the better part of two decades, winning just three playoff rounds since 2001. Each of their five series wins since 2000 has been on the road: 2000 vs. the Raptors and Heat, 2013 vs. Indiana, 2023 vs. Cleveland, and 2024 vs. Philadelphia.
Somehow, June 11th, 1999, was the last time New York closed out a series at the league’s most famous arena. That night, a team featuring Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Marcus Camby beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals as an eighth seed. Famed “Knicks Killer” Reggie Miller had just eight points on 3-18 from the field as the Knicks shocked the world. Almost 26 years later, these Knicks will have a chance to celebrate with their beloved fans at MSG with a Game 5 win over the Pistons.
New York Had This Opportunity Twice Last Year
NY has had three chances to close out a series on their home floor since 2000. In 2013, Carmelo Anthony‘s Knicks returned home for a Game 5 against the overmatched Celtics, only to lose that game before clinching in a wild win in Boston two days later. Last year, they had two tries: Game 5 vs. Philly and Game 7 against Indiana. We all know what happened in the blowout Game 7 loss to the Pacers, as New York simply didn’t have enough healthy bodies left to compete against a deep Indiana team.
Game 5 against the 76ers is eerily similar to New York’s opportunity in Game 5 against the Pistons. Up 3-1 after inspiring road wins in Game 4 led by Jalen Brunson‘s clutch heroics (he had 47 in Game 4 last year), the Knicks had a chance to put Philly and now Detroit out of their misery in front of a raucous Garden crowd. Unfortunately, in 2024, NY choked away a six-point lead with under 30 seconds left after Tyrese Maxey scored seven quick points to send the game to overtime. What was a devastating loss will be forgotten because of Josh Hart‘s game-winning three in Game 6 to send NY to the second round. However, the Knicks would do well to avoid that fate in 2025.
The Knicks Must Win Game 5
This time around, there is a ton riding on a Knicks victory tonight. They are a battered and bruised team whose top players have played more minutes than any other playoff squad. This has been an extremely intense and rough series against a gritty Pistons team that is out for blood. Their superstar point guard is nursing an ankle injury (though he won’t admit it). With Boston likely to beat Orlando in their Game 5 as well, the Knicks are desperate to get the extra rest before their second-round matchup.
If both teams advance, the second round will likely start on Saturday or Sunday. Those three or four days off will work wonders for a top-heavy Knicks squad that needs their full energy to compete with the juggernaut Celtics. New York is clearly capable of beating Boston, but is drawing dead to do so if they come in with a rest and/or health disadvantage. NY needs to escape this first-round war with Detroit completely healthy and fresh for the second round. Lastly, if the Knicks lose tonight, they could easily lose the series or at least be pushed to seven games. Playing this series to the end while Boston sits at home waiting would be a death sentence. New York needs to close this out tonight.
Photo credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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