The New York Knicks have faced a challenging midseason, with a string of injuries leaving them shorthanded in their recent games. This injury situation has been particularly severe, with six key players sidelined for their last game before the All-Star break. This defeat in Orlando marked the Knicks’ fourth consecutive loss and their fifth in six games, following a strong 15-2 run that had briefly placed them within a half-game of the No. 2 playoff position in the Eastern Conference. However, their recent slide has seen them drop to the fourth spot, trailing the second-place Cavaliers by four games and holding a slim half-game lead over the 76ers. The Knicks will begin their final 27 games of the regular season on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
Jalen Brunson has been a standout player for the Knicks this season, earning his first All-Star selection. His performance has been impressive, averaging 27.6 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 41.1 percent from 3-point range. Brunson’s toughness and work ethic have endeared him to New York sports fans, and he could become a league-wide conversation if the Knicks can regain their health and secure a top-4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Evan Fournier, who was traded to the Detroit Pistons at the deadline, is considered the least valuable player for the Knicks. Despite setting a franchise record with 241 made 3-pointers in the 2021–22 season, Fournier appeared in only three games for the Knicks this season before being traded. He expressed his excitement about leaving New York after the trade.
The Knicks made a bold move in December by trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa. This trade resulted in a 14-2 record in January, with Anunoby providing a defensive boost before requiring elbow surgery in February. The Knicks also acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Pistons in a separate deal, which saw Fournier and Quentin Grimes leave the team.
The Knicks’ victory over the Miami Heat on January 27 was marred by injuries to Anunoby and Julius Randle. Randle suffered a dislocated right shoulder in that game and has been sidelined since. The Knicks won their first three games without Randle and Anunoby, extending their winning streak to nine games, but they have struggled since then, losing five of their last six games before the All-Star break.
Mitchell Robinson’s ankle surgery in December initially seemed like a significant blow to the Knicks, but Isaiah Hartenstein stepped up in his absence. Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and more than one block and one steal per game in 24 starts before missing the final three games before the break with an Achilles issue.
The Knicks’ success in the second half of the season will depend on the return of injured players like Hartenstein, Donte DiVincenzo, and Bogdanovic. The eventual returns of Randle and Anunoby will also be crucial for any prolonged playoff run.
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