GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Sportsbooks have installed the New York Knicks as Eastern Conference champions-to-be, and their recent playoff performance backs up those odds.
New York has achieved something unprecedented in NBA postseason history, becoming the first franchise to capture three consecutive playoff victories with margins of 25 points or greater. This remarkable streak positions them as potential contenders for the franchise’s first Finals berth since the 1990s ended.
The Knicks’ recent dominance features blowout victories reminiscent of college basketball rather than professional competition. After falling behind in their opening playoff round, New York has seized control of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against Philadelphia, with the second contest scheduled for Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
“We’re playing well at the right time, but I think we have room to grow,” coach Mike Brown said.
Such improvement seems difficult to envision, given the unprecedented level his squad has reached during postseason play.
New York’s 126-97 triumph over Atlanta in their fifth meeting saw them ahead by 32 points, followed by a dominant 140-89 series-clinching performance where they established a commanding 61-point advantage. Taking advantage of Philadelphia’s exhaustion following their seven-game opening series, the Knicks jumped ahead by 40 points Monday during a 138-97 blowout.
Including their series-evening victory against the Hawks, New York has captured four consecutive contests by a combined 135 points.
Jalen Brunson leads the team with 27.6 points per contest, ranking third among all postseason performers. Karl-Anthony Towns has delivered arguably his finest complete basketball, recording his initial playoff triple-doubles while the Knicks utilize their All-Star big man to facilitate offense through distribution. Towns contributes 6.0 assists nightly alongside 10.6 rebounds.
Forward OG Anunoby, traditionally recognized for defensive prowess, has shot at levels exceeding Stephen Curry’s range, connecting on 59% of three-point attempts and 63.8% of overall field goals. The reserve unit performs so effectively that Josh Hart, who ranked second league-wide in minutes last season and typically demands floor time, now willingly requests substitutions when fatigued.
On defense, their aggressive approach disrupted Philadelphia so thoroughly that Brown noted the Knicks secured 14 of 16 loose ball opportunities.
“We were sitting here watching it like man, we can’t believe what we’re actually watching here,” former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony said of the defense during NBC’s studio coverage of the game.
Detroit posted the Eastern Conference’s top regular season record. Cleveland emerged as betting favorites after acquiring James Harden, before odds shifted toward Boston when Jayson Tatum’s strong comeback helped secure the second seed.
However, Boston has been eliminated, while Detroit and Cleveland endured grueling seven-game battles to reach their second-round confrontation. New York now holds solid favoritism to represent the East and trails only defending champion Oklahoma City and San Antonio in championship odds.
The Knicks haven’t appeared in the NBA Finals since 1999 and last captured a title in 1973. They dismissed outside expectations before the season and maintain that approach now.
“Boston was the favorite last series, and they came back 3-1,” Hart said, referring to the 76ers’ comeback. “So being the favorite means literally nothing. Every game you have to come in with a focus and attention to detail. And if you don’t do that, you can lose to anybody in this league. If you do that, you know, we feel like we can beat anybody.”
New York has steadily constructed this foundation, reaching the Eastern semifinals four consecutive seasons and advancing to the conference finals last year for the first time since 2000. They unexpectedly dismissed Tom Thibodeau afterward and hired Brown, who minimized discussion of advancement mandates while understanding those expectations.
The franchise finished 53-29 but displayed confusing stretches of poor performance, including a 2-9 slide shortly after capturing the NBA Cup in December, plus consecutive losses to Atlanta.
“That’s why you play a season. That’s why you go through the ups and downs of the season. That’s why you go through adversity,” Brunson said. “You find things to make you the best team as possible by the end of the year, and you continue to work. And even when you’re at this point, you continue to find ways to get better and improve.”
Recent evidence suggests the Knicks have accomplished exactly that.
“You hope that at this time we’re the best version of ourselves,” Towns said.
Perhaps even the East’s finest team.
