The Knicks have taken fans on a bit of a rollercoaster this season - and yet, through all the twists and turns, they’ve managed to stay firmly in the contender conversation. That’s no small feat. From winning the inaugural NBA Cup to navigating a midseason slump and now surging back with elite defense, New York has shown a resilience that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Let’s unpack it.
A Season of Shifts - and Staying Power
The Knicks’ 2025-26 campaign has had distinct phases. There was the high of the NBA Cup victory, a moment that felt like a turning point - until it was followed by the team’s roughest patch of the season. But instead of spiraling, they recalibrated.
One major area of growth? The three-point game.
The Knicks have made a significant jump in their perimeter shooting, now leading the league in both corner threes attempted and made. That’s a leap from 11th in both categories last season - a clear sign of offensive evolution and smarter spacing.
It’s not just about volume; it’s about shot quality, and the Knicks are capitalizing on high-efficiency looks.
But the real story lately has been on the other end of the floor.
Defense: The Knicks’ Calling Card Again
Through the first 43 games, New York’s defense was middle-of-the-pack - 18th in the league. Not bad, but not the kind of identity you want heading into the stretch run.
Since January 20, though, something’s clicked. The Knicks have been the best defensive team in the NBA over that span, vaulting them to 11th overall.
A big reason? Assistant coach Darren Erman’s schematic shift.
Instead of funneling ball-handlers into the middle - where help defense is more congested and rotations more complex - the Knicks are now steering drives toward the sidelines and baselines. It’s a subtle but impactful change that’s tightened up their coverage and forced opponents into tougher looks.
Personnel has helped, too. Landry Shamet’s return added some much-needed depth on the perimeter, and Jose Alvarado’s arrival at the trade deadline gave the Knicks a bulldog at the point of attack - someone who can harass ball-handlers and disrupt rhythm before a play even begins. Add in the recent signing of Jeremy Sochan, who brings size, versatility, and the ability to switch across multiple positions, and suddenly this defense looks playoff-ready.
The Road Ahead: Eyes on the No. 2 Seed
As the Knicks head into the second half of the season, the goal is clear: grab that No. 2 seed in the East. They’re currently just a half-game behind the Celtics. While catching the top-seeded Pistons might be a long shot, securing home-court advantage for the first two rounds would be a huge boost for a team built on physicality and defensive intensity.
But it won’t be easy.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Knicks face a brutal 11-game stretch that’s nothing short of a gauntlet. It starts with a matchup against Detroit - a Pistons team missing key big men Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspension - but things escalate quickly.
Over that stretch, New York will face all five of the top teams in the Western Conference, plus three of the top five in the East. Seven of those games are on the road, and two are back-to-backs.
If the Knicks want to prove they’re legit contenders, this is the stretch to do it.
Around the Organization
In G League news, veteran wing T.J. Warren is back with the Westchester Knicks.
Warren was a standout for Westchester last season, averaging 22.8 points, 6.1 boards, and 4.2 assists across 21 games, though he never got the call-up to the main roster. His last NBA action came with the Timberwolves during the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in 11 games.
For now, he’ll continue to be a steady presence in Westchester as he works to earn another shot at the big stage.
All-Star Weekend: Mixed Bag for Knicks Stars
The Knicks did notch a win during All-Star weekend - taking home the Shooting Stars event - but the main event didn’t exactly go their way. Jalen Brunson’s team reached the final game, but the Knicks’ floor general played it safe, opting for a pass-first approach that didn’t leave much of a mark on the contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns, meanwhile, found himself on the wrong end of two game-winning sequences. There was at least one memorable moment: Brunson isolated Towns late in the game, blew by him for a layup, and drew a goaltending call when Towns tried to swat it off the glass.
Bottom Line
The Knicks are in a strong position - battle-tested, defensively locked in, and with a clear target in sight. If they can weather the post-break schedule and keep their defensive intensity high, there’s a real path to a top-two seed and a deep playoff run.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution.