The road to the Larry O’Brien begins today.
It’s been 335 days since the New York Knicks last played playoff basketball.
Eleven months ago to the day, the 2023-24 Knicks season came to an end at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. New York ran out of steam with a battered squad in game seven of a series that went the distance, offering up every ounce of grit, heart, and passion they had along the way.
Things look a bit different this year. The team enters the playoffs at full strength with a revamped roster. There’s talent lined up and down the rotation. And yet the regular season left something to be desired for most fans. The heart and passion that was so evident in last year’s squad is nowhere to be found. It’s a different cast of characters, and it shows.
Even still, an up-and-down year resulted in a 51-31 record and the three seed in the East.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns are around now, and the Knicks’ offense is one of the best in the league, with Jalen Brunson still in command. After struggling for much of the year, the bench unit seems to have come together in the past few weeks. The regular season may have ended on a down note, but fans and analysts alike are waiting to see if the team can hit their stride at the right time.
The Knicks were a shoo-in to make the playoffs coming into the season, which is a minor miracle in itself. And in the eyes of so many, the real season begins today.
After all, there’s nothing winning in the playoffs can’t cure.
The journey to the finals begins this evening against the Detroit Pistons, a young, upstart team with something to prove.
The sixth seed in the East went 44-38 this year, tied for the best record the franchise has had in the last ten years. After winning no more than 23 games each of the last five seasons, postseason basketball finally returns to the city of Detroit.
The biggest reason why? Cade Cunningham. The former number-one pick has blossomed into a star for the Pistons this year, earning his first all-star appearance at only 23 years old. Detroit’s offense runs through him, and he is the motor that runs this team.
The other reputation the Pistons carry with them? They’re physical.
The self-proclaimed “dawg pound” is known for playing tough, an homage to the “Bad Boys” days of Detroit basketball in the 90s. While there’s still much to be earned before drawing a direct comparison between the two, this year’s squad scraps like they played in that era. Hard fouls, altercations, and scuffles are something this team prides itself on.
It’s nothing Mitchell Robinson can’t handle, though.
“It’s going to be a dirty series, we’re going to get out there and fight”
– Mitchell Robinson on the Knicks’ first round matchup against the Pistons pic.twitter.com/tOP8LctPec
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 17, 2025
Robinson went toe to toe with Joel Embiid last year, and came out on top against the former MVP. I believe him. He’s ready. And the Pistons might just light the fire under the Knicks that they’ve been looking for all year this series.
Meanwhile, Detroit took the regular season series this year, 3-1.
The first game, back in November, was all Jalen Brunson all the way. He put up 36 points in 31 minutes as New York cruised to a 30 point victory.
Games two, three, and four, however, went in favor of Cade, who dominated all three matchups. A triple-double in game two paved the way for a pair of 36 point performances in each of the last two bouts.
Today, the slate is wiped clean. It’s zeros across the board. New York has the pressure, but they also bring the experience into the series.
The injury reports for today’s game are short. The Knicks have Ariel Hukporti, who’s been sidelined since late February, questionable with a torn meniscus. The Pistons are just missing Jaden Ivey, out since the new year with a broken fibula.
That’s it. No excuses.
Prediction
Game one will be a battle between two star point guards under the lights of MSG this evening.
It should be a fun game, one that sets the tone for the series, but I’m hoping the Knicks pounce on a young Pistons team that lacks experience heading into a hostile environment.
Vegas favors the Knicks by 7.5 points heading into this game. I’m not sure if I’m that confident. The fourth quarter should be close, but if anyone can propel a team to victory, it’s Jalen Brunson.
Give me New York. 1-0.
Game Details
Date: Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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