The New York Knicks are one of the league’s best teams but have struggled mightily against the top teams in the league. Last night’s OT loss on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers was the latest example in that troubling trend. New York’s offense struggled down the stretch and it cost them.
New York is 0-9 against the four teams with the best record in the NBA this season. They are 0-3 against the Boston Celtics, 0-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 0-3 when facing the Lakers, and 0-2 when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers. The New York Knicks went all-in this offseason acquiring Center Karl-Anthony Towns and Small Forward Mikal Bridges. Towns has been solid this season, but Bridges has been a major disappointment. When will the New York Knicks be able to notch a victory against the league’s top-flight squads?
New York Knicks Season Summary
The Knicks are now 0-9 against the Top 4 teams in the NBA this season:
vs. Celtics (0-3)
vs. Thunder (0-2)
vs. Lakers (0-2)
vs. Cavs (0-2)😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/lKF31kArgV
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 7, 2025
New York has a 40-22 record and is the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They are 40-13 against any team not in the top four. The Knicks have been led by a strong offense this season. They are fifth in points per game, fourth in field goal percentage, and ninth in three-point percentage. Point Guard Jalen Brunson and Towns have been the driving forces behind New York’s great offensive season.
The issue for New York, especially against the league’s best teams, has been their defense. New York is 13th in opposing points per game, 24th in opposing field goal percentage, and the worst team in the league at defending the three-pointer. A few examples of New York’s defense struggling against the league’s top teams are their surrendering 132 to the Boston Celtics in the opening game, 126 to the Thunder on January 10, and 142 to the Cavaliers on February 21.
Final Thoughts
In addition to New York blowing a lead last night, Brunson suffered an injury in OT. His status for the upcoming games is uncertain. The Knicks fortunately have a 3.5-game cushion in the third seed, but they can not sustain Brunson being out for an extended period.
The New York Knicks return to the court tonight for the second half of a back-to-back in Los Angeles against the Clippers. New York has three games remaining this season against the Cavaliers and Celtics. If New York cannot find its footing against the cream of the crop, their time in the NBA Playoffs will be brief.
