Apr 6, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
With a playoff berth secured, all that’s left for the New York Knicks to do is lock down the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a few games left in the 2025-26 NBA season.
But their chances of securing this spot are in jeopardy as the Cleveland Cavaliers remain a game behind them. To make matters more complicated, their final three games are against the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets, three teams actively fighting for playoff spots.
Boston, Thursday night’s opponent, has already clinched a postseason berth and will likely enter as the second seed, three games ahead of New York. But the Knicks have gotten the better of their division rival this season, winning two of their three last matchups.
The fourth bout at Madison Square Garden will be the deciding factor in their regular-season rivalry.
Next, the Knicks face the Raptors for a fifth and final time this season. New York won the first four without much trouble, giving them a clear advantage. Another win could increase their chances of clinching the third seed, matching them up against Toronto in the postseason if they can hold on to the sixth seed.
The Hornets, meanwhile, offer the Knicks another chance to build confidence ahead of the playoffs. New York won the first two matchups, but an 11-point loss at Charlotte revealed gaps in their game. This would carry over into two more losses against the Thunder and Rockets, two playoff contenders in the Western Conference.
However, New York rebounded by winning three straight, as its starting five began stepping up when they needed it most. Karl Anthony-Towns, who has struggled to fit into his role in Mike Brown’s system, played a key role in their win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Facing a two-point deficit in the third quarter, the All-Star big man scored 12 to help the Knicks move in front. While Towns started the comeback effort, Jalen Brunson would be the one to seal it.
Scoring 15 in the fourth quarter brought the Knicks back into the ballgame, as he ultimately sealed the deal at the charity stripe. Brunson ended the game with 30 points and 13 assists against the Hawks, who are attempting to remain in control of the fifth seed.
OG Anunoby glued together the starting lineup, scoring 22 points with five rebounds and two blocks against Atlanta. He was at the forefront of their 40-point victory over the Chicago Bulls, when he ended with 31 points and eight rebounds on 70% three point efficiency.
Standout performances like these are why the Knicks have remained in contention for the third seed. But rough performances by their superstars have contributed to ugly losses and long losing streaks.
Therefore, they will need their starters to step up more than ever going into these final three games, with the third seed in the Eastern Conference up for grabs.
For more on the Knicks, visit AMNY.com
