The Knicks aren’t getting a soft landing coming out of the All-Star break - far from it. What’s ahead is a stretch that’ll test every bit of their depth, chemistry, and postseason aspirations.
It all starts Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks host the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. That matchup kicks off an 11-game gauntlet, packed with playoff-caliber opponents and very little margin for error.
Eight of those teams are currently in postseason position, and the other three are knocking on the play-in door. This is the kind of stretch that can either sharpen a team into a contender or expose some cracks in the foundation.
Let’s break it down: The Knicks will face each of the top five teams in the Western Conference and three of the top five in the East. Seven of those games are on the road, and two are part of back-to-back sets. It’s a brutal run, no doubt - but also a golden opportunity for a team that’s already sitting third in the East at 35-20 and looking to build on last year’s trip to the conference finals.
Jalen Brunson, speaking at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, kept things grounded. “You never want to look ahead,” he said. “You’ve got to go through the journey all over again, so taking it one day at a time.”
That mindset will be crucial, especially with the Pistons (40-13) up first. Detroit handled the Knicks easily in both of their earlier meetings this season - both in Motor City - including a 118-80 blowout earlier this month.
In that game, the Knicks were without Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, while the Pistons were missing All-Star big man Jalen Duren. Towns is back now, but Duren and backup center Isaiah Stewart will be sidelined Thursday due to suspensions stemming from an altercation in Charlotte.
Anunoby’s status remains uncertain as he recovers from a toenail avulsion that’s kept him out since February 4. His return would be a boost, especially against a Pistons squad that’s been dominant inside.
After Thursday, the Knicks host the Houston Rockets (33-20) on Saturday, then hit the road for a three-game swing through Chicago (24-31), Cleveland (34-21), and Milwaukee (23-30). That’s followed by a March 1 showdown back at MSG against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (38-16) - a rematch of the NBA Cup final.
From there, the Knicks head to Toronto (32-23) before returning home to face the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (42-14) on March 4. That one’s circled on every calendar.
Then comes a five-game Western road trip, starting with defending champion Denver (35-20), followed by the Lakers (33-21), Clippers (26-28), and a March 11 visit to Utah - one of the few teams in this stretch that isn’t in the playoff mix.
Head coach Mike Brown isn’t shying away from the challenge. After a 138-89 win in Philly before the break, he emphasized the long view.
“This is a process,” Brown said. “We’re gonna improve, we’re gonna take a step back, and we’ve got to figure it out.
That’s why there’s coaching. That’s why there’s practice.
That’s why we have those guys in the locker room that we have.”
One of those guys could be Jeremy Sochan, who signed a minimum deal after being waived by the Spurs. The 6-foot-8 forward, drafted ninth overall in 2022, is known for his defensive energy and versatility. Sochan fell out of the rotation in San Antonio, but he’s still just 22, and the Knicks are betting on his upside.
They’re also getting strong early returns from another recent addition: Jose Alvarado. The Brooklyn native has wasted no time making an impact off the bench, averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals through three games. That includes a breakout 26-point performance in Philly, where he knocked down eight threes and brought his trademark edge on both ends.
Karl-Anthony Towns sees the potential in the new additions. “I think those two are gonna be real big game-changers for us,” Towns said during All-Star media availability. “They’re gonna do what they do best, and I think it’s gonna help us get some wins when it feels like we’re just not gonna get one those nights.”
Brunson echoed that sentiment, especially when it comes to Sochan. “Very excited to see him,” he said.
“I think he brings a level of toughness. From what I’ve seen, he’s been a great teammate.
It’s a great opportunity for us and for him.”
Meanwhile, the Knicks are also bringing back a familiar face - T.J. Warren - to their G League affiliate in Westchester.
Warren returns via his returning rights after appearing in 21 games with Westchester last season, where he averaged 22.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. The 32-year-old hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2023-24 season, but he’s a proven scorer with a nine-year résumé that includes stops in Phoenix, Indiana, Brooklyn, and Minnesota.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Division, a former Knick is heading to a rival. Cameron Payne is reportedly signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for the rest of the season after reaching a buyout with Partizan Belgrade.
Payne, 31, played 72 regular season games and 14 playoff contests with the Knicks last year. Now, he’s set to bring his veteran savvy to a Sixers team looking to stay afloat in the East.
So, no - there’s no easing into the second half of the season for the Knicks. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This next stretch is going to reveal a lot about who they are - and who they can be.