It is likely to be tough for followers to listen to after a Sport 7 loss at house, however the New York Knicks are a crew on the rise. Regardless of being eradicated by the hands of the rival Indiana Pacers on Sunday, and even having it occur after squandering a 3-2 sequence lead, this postseason proved why the Knicks will probably be a contender for years to come back.
The hype of the primary Sport 7 for the Knicks in 24 years slowly evaporated as soon as the sport bought underway. Indiana dominated a lot of the sport and ended up successful 130-109. And the Sport 7 loss got here two days after falling 116-103 in Sport 6. New York failed twice to clinch the sequence and advance to the franchise’s first Japanese Convention Finals since 2000.
Clearly, dropping a playoff sequence, particularly to a rival, stings. However after getting over the preliminary disappointment, Knicks followers needs to be excited in regards to the future, possibly extra so now than in any offseason of current reminiscence.
Excuses could not make any loss really feel higher, however the Knicks do have one official excuse that may assist clarify why they misplaced the sequence — well being. In contrast to Indiana, who was capable of take pleasure in most of its full roster, New York, who entered the postseason undermanned, turned constantly extra banged up all through the playoffs.
To their credit score, the Knicks nonetheless managed to complete because the No. 2 seed within the East after dropping Julius Randle in January. New York then received a tricky sequence over the Philadelphia 76ers with out Randle as properly. Simply being with out Randle would have been sufficient for New York followers to marvel “What if?” in and of itself, however he wasn’t the one key loss to harm. OG Anunoby missed three video games within the second spherical with a hamstring harm. He did return for Sport 7, granted he was solely capable of play 4 minutes.
There aren’t many groups who may endure these key losses alone and bounce again to even attain a Sport 7 within the second spherical. For that, Knicks followers needs to be happy with what their crew achieved.
Most significantly, the vibes are good. The 2023-2024 season may also go down as one which introduced Madison Sq. Backyard again to life, largely attributable to Jalen Brunson rising as a star. Actually, he, not solely turned the true high participant and chief of the Knicks, however he put collectively a historic postseason, too. And Brunson nonetheless has two extra years left on his present deal, granted he can have a participant possibility within the last yr.
Along with Brunson, Miles “Deuce” McBride went from a gritty position participant to a family identify all through the season after which stepped up much more when referred to as upon within the playoffs. McBride was rewarded for his efforts with a $13 million extension in December, preserving the WVU product in New York for 3 extra years.
Donte DiVincenzo, who had a number of 30-point playoff performances of his personal, simply accomplished the primary of his four-year contract with the Knicks.
So whereas some could view the 2024 playoffs as a missed alternative, the Knicks have key gamers locked up and needs to be poised to make one other run subsequent yr. That is additionally not even making an allowance for the very actual chance of New York including yet another star to the present group.
