As the Knicks gear up for another playoff run, we’ve learned a few strengths and weaknesses of the club. But still, questions remain about how the team will fare in the postseason.
After New York’s 111-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, there are just seven games left in the regular season. With the playoffs on the horizon, here are four questions the club is facing as the postseason rapidly approaches.
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Is Towns ready for the postseason?
The 2025-26 season has been an adjustment for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks All-Star center is averaging 20.0 points, the lowest scoring average of his career since his rookie season, and a career-low 30.9 minutes.
But recently, Towns has improved his play. His defense has taken a step in the right direction, he’s cut down fouls and his offensive efficiency has risen. In March, Towns is averaging 20.6 points on 57.1 percent from the field and 12.9 rebounds.
But Towns can still be susceptible to having stretches of ineffectiveness. In New York’s 114-103 loss against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, Towns scored just 13 points. He seemed uninvolved for most of the game, scoring just two points in the first half. On Sunday night, Towns had just four points in the first half as the Thunder had smaller defenders like Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso guard him.
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If the Knicks are going to make any noise in the postseason, they will need Towns to be productive and consistent.
Does the club have enough depth?
One of the top priorities for the Knicks heading into the season was shoring up the bench. New York has added depth to the roster. Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride have been integral pieces of the rotation. Landry Shamet has emerged as a valuable reserve. Jordan Clarkson has seen a recent boost in minutes. Young players like Mohamed Diawara and Tyler Kolek have shown flashes at times.
Despite these positives, the Knicks bench hasn’t been exactly electric. New York’s reserves have the third-lowest scoring output in the NBA. They also are ranked just 28th in total minutes.
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In the postseason, many teams stick with a short rotation. That favors the Knicks. But any injury to its core players could be hard to recover from.
Jan 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Can the Knicks limit opponents from three?
All season long, the Knicks have struggled to defend the three-point line. New York is giving up 38.9 three point attempts per 100 possessions, the fifth-highest mark in the NBA. The Knicks are tied for 19th in opponents three-point, percentage.
The three-point defense issue was a factor in the loss to Charlotte. The Hornets connected on 16-of-41 threes (39 percent). Even in wins against the Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans, the Knicks gave up 18 and 15 trifectas, respectively.
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Under head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks defensive strategy leans on helping in the paint and then recovering back to the perimeter. The extreme help around the basket is giving opponents easy looks from three.
New York’s overall defense has been much better over the past two months. The club has risen to fifth overall in defensive efficiency. But in the wrong matchup, the three ball could become pivotal.
Will the team fix first quarter struggles?
A trend for New York throughout the season has been the club getting off to slow starts. During its recent seven-game win streak, the Knicks trailed in the first quarter of three games.
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The Knicks starting lineup has been passable, outscoring opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions in 459 minutes before Sunday night per NBA Stats. But the group has struggled in the first quarter. In 184 first quarter minutes, New York’s starting five has a net rating of -4.5 points per 100 possessions.
It seems too late to make a change to the starting lineup. But falling behind at the start of games creates a tough task to have to make the uphill climb of getting back into a game. And in the playoffs, where every moment matters, that’s even more important.