The New York Knicks enter the 2025–26 season with increased expectations. After reaching their first Eastern Conference final in 25 years, the team seems ready to fight in a weakened east. However, not everyone is convinced that they will surpass the projections.
A wide open conference
With Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum set aside as a result of Achilles injuries, the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics are confronted with uphill fighting. That leaves the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers as early favorites to control the East. The Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks remain in the mix, but the path seems the most favorable for New York or Cleveland.
Hollings’s care
Despite optimism, NBA -Sinsider John Hollinger van Athletics Doubts The Knicks can surpass their 53.5 Win projection. His skepticism is largely due to the coaching change of New York. The team broke up with Tom Thibodeau, who led last season’s 51-win campaign, and hired former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown.
“The Knicks won 51 games with a coach (Tom Thibodeau) last season, which is known for his willingness to fully ignore any larger branches of the image in the pursuit of victories in the here and now,” Hollinger wrote. “And we say, after we have replaced him, that they will win more regular games this season? The logic does not calculate.”
Health and depth problems
Hollinger also points out that New York benefited from remarkable health last season. Apart from Center Mitchell Robinson, the rotation avoided major setbacks. He suggests that this kind of fortune will probably not repeat.
Depth is another concern, especially on the front court. With limitations of the second apron that limits the schedule flexibility, the Knicks only wear 14 players. Rookies Pacome Dadite and Tyler Kolek can occupy the last places, so that Hollinger is not convinced of their willingness.
“As a secondary consideration, the depth situation outside the top eight players looks somewhat terrible, especially at Forward,” he added.
Focus on play -offs, not on the regular season
Nevertheless, Hollinger notes that the switch from the Knicks from Thibodeau to Brown could later pay dividends. Brown is known for in-game adjustments and adaptability after the season, qualities that can help New York to go deeper into the play-offs.
His caution is then less about the title ambitions of the Knicks and more about their ability to navigate through the grinding of an 82-game season. For the time being, New York is faced with the challenge to prove that last year’s breakthrough was no wonder.
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