How Knicks can manage final weeks of 2024 playoff race

It’s been a few days since Josh Hart finally admitted that some or all of the cavalry the undermanned Knicks have been waiting for weeks may not return to provide front-line reinforcements until the end of the regular season.

Hart had said Sunday night that the existing team could no longer operate under the assumption that key forwards Julius Randle and OG Anunoby would be back in time, adding that the Knicks should be “pleasantly surprised” if they become available before the start of the season. playoffs in just two hours. weeks.

Last week, the Knicks were aiming to move up to third, or even second, in the Eastern Conference, but they suddenly have to look over their shoulder in the standings after suffering their third straight loss Tuesday night at Miami.

Tom Thibodeau’s undermanned team now sits in fifth place, with the same record as the Magic, who control the season series tiebreaker. With seven games remaining, the Knicks (44-31) are also just 1.5 games ahead of the No. 6 Pacers (43-33) and, perhaps more importantly, two games ahead on the Heat n°7 (42-33). while also possessing the tiebreaker to avoid play-in.