The battle-tested Knicks had no choice but to vie for the second seed.

April 15, 2024

The battle-tested Knicks had no choice but to vie for the second seed.

Whether you've been present at the arena or tracking the action from afar, the Knicks' approach to their regular-season finale against Chicago on Sunday afternoon was crystal clear. There was no hint of strategic maneuvering for specific matchups in the Eastern Conference playoff landscape. This team, guided by their coach and propelled by their MVP candidate, viewed the Bulls' red jerseys as merely another obstacle to overcome in their quest for victory. While it may sound cliché, it's undeniably true that this sentiment encapsulates the essence of New York's 50-win season, culminating in an overtime triumph over the Bulls and clinching the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs. Despite enduring numerous absences due to injuries from key starters throughout the season, the Knicks have epitomized a "next-man-up" mentality.

Reflecting on their journey, Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks' offseason acquisition who has flourished with a career-best performance in his first season at Madison Square Garden, acknowledged the team's resilience and adaptability.

Whether you were at the arena or following the game from a distance, the Knicks' approach to their final regular-season matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday was unmistakable. There were no strategic maneuvers aimed at manipulating playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference. Instead, guided by their coach and fueled by their MVP candidate, the Knicks saw the Bulls' red jerseys as just another hurdle to conquer on their path to victory. While it might sound like a cliché, it perfectly captures the essence of New York's remarkable 50-win season, culminating in an overtime victory over the Bulls and securing the coveted No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs. Despite grappling with injuries that sidelined key starters for significant stretches, the Knicks embodied a resilient "next-man-up" mentality.

Looking back on their journey, Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks' offseason addition who has enjoyed a career-best season at Madison Square Garden, recognized the team's resilience and ability to adapt in the face of adversity.

By losing to the Hornets, the Cavs solidified their position as the 4th seed, setting up a matchup with the emerging Orlando Magic. This outcome also meant that Cleveland wouldn't be able to secure the second or third seed, which, leading into Sunday's final games, could have potentially pitted them against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. In contrast, New York showed no signs of similar strategic maneuvering. DiVincenzo logged nearly the entire 53-minute game against the Bulls, including overtime, while OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart also saw extensive playing time, despite the Bulls being locked into the 9th seed and preparing to face the Hawks in a play-in game on Wednesday.

Coach Thibodeau emphasized the Knicks' focus on simply playing their game, stating, "We just play. We just play. We play. I can’t speak to what Cleveland did. Cleveland does what’s best for their organization. We just do what’s best for our organization."

New York's true identity might just be their most significant asset heading into the playoffs, regardless of whether they face Miami, who eliminated them last April, or Philadelphia. The opponent will be determined during Wednesday's 7 p.m. showdown at the Wells Fargo Center. While securing the No. 2 seed means potentially facing a formidable opponent for the Knicks, possibly even more formidable than the Milwaukee Bucks, who will face the Pacers in the 6th seed, New York wouldn't have wanted to conclude their first 82 games any differently.

"We've discussed from the beginning of the season our aim to peak at the end. That was our daily focus," Thibodeau explained.

On Sunday, Brunson concluded the game with an impressive 40 points, marking his 11th instance of scoring 40 or more points this season. He now joins an elite group of only three players in NBA history to maintain averages of 28-plus points and 6-plus assists while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc in over 77 games in a season. The other two players in this exclusive club are Larry Bird in 1985 and Stephen Curry in 2016, both of whom went on to win MVP awards.

While Brunson is likely to receive consideration for a top-five finish in the MVP race, he is expected to trail behind standout performers like Denver's Nikola Jokić and Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Nevertheless, the Knicks' 6-foot point guard continues to stand tall among the league's elite and has already demonstrated his prowess in postseason play, with his supporting cast rallying behind him, regardless of their collegiate connections.

Under Thibodeau's leadership and Leon Rose's management, the Knicks have forged a team marked by unwavering determination, symbolized by their iconic arena. New York has now secured a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference in three of the past four years, a feat not accomplished since 1995-98. The next challenge lies in how much further the Knicks can advance from this point onward.

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The battle-tested Knicks had no choice but to vie for the second seed.

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