The Home Stretch

A closer look at what the remaining 12 games will look like for the Knicks.

Good morning! Knicks vs Mavs tips off at 7:30 pm at MSG. New York will be without Deuce McBride (groin) in addition to Jalen Brunson, while Mitchell Robinson is questionable on the first night of a back to back. On the bright side, Thibs said yesterday that Brunson is making solid progress, although he still isn’t practicing. For Dallas, we have no injury report yet because they played in Brooklyn last night, but New York dodged a big bullet, as we’ll get to in a moment. Come join me at halftime.

The Home Stretch

There’s a dozen games left to go in what has been a roller coaster ride of a season. Thanks to Indy’s win over the Wolves last night, New York’s lead is down to 2.5 games, although they do own the tiebreakers over both the Pacers and Bucks.

Let’s take a close look at what’s in store, starting with tonight…

3/25 - vs Mavs

Rest: Two days off for Knicks, second night of a back-to-back for Dallas

We went from Anthony Davis potentially being out for the rest of the season to playing last night vs Brooklyn. He looked good in the Mavs win, but as a result, is reportedly sitting out tonight at MSG. The Knicks catch a break.

Between that and the back to back for Dallas, tonight should be one of the few remaining opportunities for New York to take advantage of an overmatched opponent, but we’d have said the same thing against the Spurs and Hornets, so who knows.

3/26 - vs Clippers

Rest: Two days off for LA, second night of a back-to-back for New York

With Kenny Atkinson, Ime Udoka and JB Bickerstaff all blowing away expectations for their respective teams (not to mention 2024 Coach of the Year winner Mark Daigneault putting the Thunder on a 68-win pace), Ty Lue isn’t a serious candidate for top coaching honors, but he’s as solid as they come when it comes to day-in, day-out dependability.

Since dropping six of seven (including four by two possessions or less), the Clippers have reeled off eight wins in 10 games, sporting both a top-five offense and defense in that time. Kawhi Leonard is rounding into form, averaging 26 points on 58 percent shooting and 57 percent from deep over his last five.

The only saving grace for the Knicks is that LA may be without their starting point guard after James Harden rolled his foot late in Sunday’s close loss to the Thunder. Still, you know the Clips will be ready to go, as they’re engaged in a death-match with the Warriors and Timberwolves for the sixth seed in the West.

Very tough assignment on a back to back, even at home.

3/28 - at Bucks

Rest: One day off for both teams