Knicks’ Playoff Path and Eastern Conference Standings
The New York Knicks had a remarkable journey last year, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years after a regular season that was considered somewhat underwhelming. This year, fans are hoping for a similar resurgence as the team aims to build on their success.
The Knicks have had a solid season, securing 50 wins, but they haven’t quite lived up to the expectations of being a dominant force in the Eastern Conference. While they entered the season with high hopes of winning the East, the Pistons have taken the top spot, and the Celtics have managed to secure a better record despite missing Jayson Tatum for much of the season.
If the Knicks want to make another deep playoff run, they may need to face the Celtics again, as the two teams seem to be on a collision course for a rematch in the second round.
Updated Playoff Scenarios
With a win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, the Knicks clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics also secured the second seed after a strong performance against the Pelicans.
New York entered Friday as the third seed, one game ahead of the Cavaliers. Since the Knicks can’t finish lower than fourth, they were guaranteed home-court advantage in the playoffs. As the third seed, the Knicks are set to face the sixth-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the first round at Madison Square Garden.
Eastern Conference Standings
Here is the latest update on the Eastern Conference standings as of April 12:
| Seed | Team | Wins | Losses | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pistons* | 60 | 22 | — |
| 2 | Celtics* | 56 | 26 | 4 |
| 3 | Knicks* | 53 | 29 | 7 |
| 4 | Cavaliers* | 52 | 30 | 8 |
| 5 | Raptors* | 46 | 36 | 14 |
| 6 | Hawks* | 46 | 36 | 14 |
| 7 | 76ers** | 45 | 37 | 15 |
| 8 | Magic** | 45 | 37 | 15 |
| 9 | Hornets** | 44 | 38 | 16 |
| 10 | Heat** | 43 | 39 | 17 |
- Clinched NBA Playoff berth
** Clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Teams eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers, Wizards
Knicks’ Remaining Schedule
The Knicks will close out the regular season with the following matchups:
- Sunday, April 12: vs. Hornets at 6 p.m. (ET)
Playoff Opponent
As the third seed, the Knicks will host the sixth-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. This matchup gives New York a chance to showcase their home-court advantage and set the tone for a potential deep run in the postseason.
