The Knicks’ Championship Chase: Ambition, Risks, and a City’s Dreams
A New Standard in New York
The New York Knicks just completed their most successful season in a quarter-century and concurrently proved that even this wasn't enough. After a 51-win regular season and getting to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, the Knicks stunned everyone by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau. Though unexpected, this move signaled that the franchise's ambitions have skyrocketed. In true Knicks fashion, it is now championship-or-bust in New York. The 2024–25 season proved to many that the Knicks are a legitimate contender. However, this period also exposed flaws that pose big questions moving forward: Does this year's run bring New York closer to a title – or did they push their chips in only to hit the ceiling? We will analyze the Knicks' breakthrough season, the decisions that led them to this point, and what it all means for their championship chase.
An Ambitious Offseason Pays Off
The Knicks' offseason performance didn't happen by accident. Last summer, the front office made bold trades to "load up" the roster. They acquired two high-impact players: All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and rising two-way wing Mikal Bridges. Towns gave the Knicks a stretch-five, unlike anything they've had in decades, whereas Bridges brought defensive versatility on the perimeter. Suddenly, expectations rose in New York; a team that was considered 'solid' was now a potential title contender. Many believe these moves were made to match up better with the defending champions - the Celtics. The 2024–25 Knicks finished 51-31 (up from 50 wins the year prior) and clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Crucially, New York focused on improving their defense. Under Thibodeau's coaching leadership, the Knicks finished among the top five in defensive efficiency in the regular season. This was largely attributed to roster adjustments in recent years. Bridges averaged 1.7 steals in the playoffs and, alongside OG Anunoby (another mid-season pickup in 2023), helped form a threatening wing defensive pair. In clutch moments of the postseason, the Bridges-Anunoby duo posted a stifling 96.6 defensive rating, the best of any pair in the league. On the back line, Towns addressed previous weaknesses with his size and rebounding abilities weaknesses – he averaged 12.8 rebounds per game while also stretching the floor with 42% three-point shooting. Together, these moves turned the Knicks into a more talented and higher-ceiling team, creating a reasonable rise in expectations both inside and outside the organization.
The Brunson Breakout and New York's New Big Three
While the roster changes brought more star power, point guard Jalen Brunson remained the heart and soul of the Knicks. This 28-year-old floor general elevated his game to another level this season. Brunson averaged 26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game on an efficient 48.8% shooting (38.3% from deep) – All-Star caliber numbers. He guided New York through its ups and downs, and it's safe to say no player was more responsible for their 51 wins. For his crunch-time heroics, Brunson was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year after leading the league with 156 clutch points on 51.5% shooting in close late-game situations. Time and time again, he delivered when it mattered most – whether it was dropping 40 points in a Game 6 clincher against Detroit in the first round or torching Boston for 39 points on the road to swing momentum in the conference semis. Brunson's highlights piled up every round, and he would go on to average 30.1 points in the postseason (top three among all players). This performance elevated him to be one of the NBA's most elite lead guards.
Just as importantly, Brunson now has 'help' at a star level. Karl-Anthony Towns quickly acclimated to his new home and became the inside-out scoring threat the Knicks lacked for a long time. Towns posted 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in the regular season, shooting 52.6% overall and 42.0% from three. Because of his blend of post presence and perimeter touch, opponents had to pick their poison – when big men sagged off, Towns punished them from deep; when they stepped out, he drove by for physical finishes at the rim. He opened up driving lanes for Brunson and others, thereby diversifying New York's offense. This 7-footer's impact was most pronounced in the playoffs: in Game 3 of the East Finals against Indiana, Towns exploded for 24 points and 15 rebounds - including 20 points in a single fourth quarter, which led the Knicks to a win. He recorded a dozen 20+ point games in the postseason and carried the offense when outside shots weren't falling. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges settled into a 'do-it-all' role on the wing. His scoring numbers were tame compared to Brunson and KAT, but Bridges' defensive consistency and length were incalculable over the long run. In fact, Bridges and Anunoby became the linchpins of New York's perimeter defense, often drawing the most challenging assignments. Bridges averaged 1.7 steals per game in the playoffs (up from 0.9 in the regular season) and even upped his rim protection - almost doubling his blocks per game in the postseason. Essentially, the Knicks' new "Big Three" of Brunson, Towns, and Bridges became a nearly unstoppable force, supported by a cast of hard-working role players who knew their jobs.
The Playoff Run: Knocking on the Door of the Finals
All the regular-season successes led to in an exhilarating playoff run that captivated the city of New York. The Knicks clinched the East's third seed and opened the postseason against the flashy Detroit Pistons. After a few stumbles (including some turnover-induced losses), New York dispatched Detroit in six games (4–2). That created a tough second-round matchup with the Boston Celtics – the defending NBA champions. Practically no analysts and sports personalities picked New York to win the series, given Boston's pedigree and experience. However, the Knicks completely embraced the underdog role and delivered a statement upset. In a grueling six-game series, the Knicks defeated the defending champs 4–2, knocking Boston out. Although injuries, such as Tatum's Achilles rupture, impacted the series, this victory marked the franchise's big breakthrough. It propelled New York to the conference finals for the first time since 2000. The Garden was rocking, celebrities filling the courtside seats, and a generation of Knicks fans finally felt the atmosphere of late-May basketball again. Making the ECF for the first time in 25 years is no small feat, especially after decades of disappointment and failure. In many ways, this run revived hope in MSG.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, New York faced the Indiana Pacers, the East's surprise 4th seed that had eliminated both Milwaukee and Cleveland - very interestingly so. It was a matchup of opposing styles: Knicks played with a slower pace focused on defense, while Indiana utilized its young, high-octane offense. Early on, the Pacers' pace gave the Knicks trouble, and New York found itself down 0–2 deficit after two home games. Still, they showed resilience - the Knicks clawed back a win in Game 3 and fought hard to extend the series. They dominated Game 5 at home (111-94) to put up a fight against playoff elimination, sending it back to Indiana for Game 6. Ultimately, the clock struck midnight on New York's Cinderella run - the Pacers' youth and speed proved too much as Indiana closed out Game 6 - 125-108. The Knicks fell two wins shy of the Finals, losing the series 4–2. Given the franchise's recent history, there was no shame in the run. The fact that they made the ECF was a monumental step forward. The playoff journey demonstrated the very best of the Knicks - Brunson averaging 30.1 points in the postseason, Towns notching double-doubles nightly, and role players like Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson making game-changing hustle plays. New York pulled in 33% of all available offensive rebounds in the playoffs (3rd among playoff teams), effectively capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Hart grabbed 10+ boards in nine postseason games and Robinson snatched nearly four offensive rebounds a night. All told, the 2024–25 Knicks had transformed into the tough and scrappy contender their fans had dreamed of.
Cracks in the Armor: What Stopped the Knicks Short
Despite the many positives, the Knicks' playoff exit also exposed key deficiencies that separated them from a Finals team. Chief among them was their struggle with transition defense and turnovers – which majorly contributed to their loss against the Pacers and other fast-paced teams. During the regular season, New York ranked just 20th in opponent fast-break points, allowing 14.5 per game. In the ECF, the younger Pacers repeatedly beat the Knicks down the floor; for example, in the Game 6 elimination, Indiana outscored New York 25-10 in fast-break points. Every time the Knicks failed to get back on defense, the Pacers punished them with quick buckets. Those easy transition points were mostly caused by New York's own mistakes. The Knicks' ball security was weak under playoff pressure – they averaged 13.8 turnovers per game in the postseason - higher than their regular-season average. They also had multiple games with 15+ giveaways. In a series where margins were slim, those extra possessions to the opponent were detrimental. Turnovers truly annihilate any momentum the team attempts to build, and New York learned that the hard way.
Another factor was the team's depth – or lack thereof. Coach Thibodeau has been known for playing his starters heavily. This season was no exception. In the playoffs, New York's bench saw limited action (aside from sixth-man Josh Hart, who usually played starter minutes). The second unit averaged under 10 minutes per game collectively in the postseason. Promising young guard Miles "Deuce" McBride and veteran pickups like Landry Shamet and Delon Wright provided boosts when used. For instance, a lineup featuring McBride, Shamet, and Wright actually posted a +2.4 net rating in the Indiana series in limited run. However, Thibodeau seemed slow to trust his backups, as he often deployed them only after the Knicks fell behind by double digits. In Game 4 of the ECF, the starters were visibly gassed in the fourth quarter, but the coach waited too long to give them relief. As a result, there was a late collapse, turning a winnable game into a 130-121 defeat. That loss put New York on the cusp. It's fair to wonder if superior rotation management could have changed the outcome of the series. Thibodeau's critics have long argued that his hard-driving style and over-reliance on starters can wear down players - those concerns resurfaced. Additionally, foul trouble hurt New York at key moments – the Knicks were one of the most whistle-prone teams (17.8 personal fouls per game, 7th-most in the league), especially with Towns struggling to avoid cheap fouls. Every time Towns went to the bench with foul issues, the Knicks' interior defense struggled. In short, the Knicks' playoff run showed us the difference between being a very good team and a championship team. Improved transition defense, a better-utilized bench, and sharper execution under pressure will all be on the to-do list as they enter the next season.
A "Difficult" Decision: ThibS Out, Championship Expectations In
Maybe the biggest surprise came after the final buzzer of the season. Just days following the Game 6 loss to Indiana, team president Leon Rose announced they were firing head coach Tom Thibodeau. This move was almost unthinkable, given that Thibodeau had led New York to four playoff berths in five seasons, including this Eastern Conference Finals appearance (the franchise's deepest run in 25 years), and was credited with revitalizing respectability for the Knicks. Under his leadership since 2020, the Knicks went from a laughingstock to a real contender in the East. In fact, Thibs earned the Coach of the Year award in his first season, and he had just been given a contract extension last summer. Firing a successful coach after a breakthrough season is practically unheard of, yet the Knicks felt it was a "necessary step in their chase for a championship." In the press release, Rose thanked Thibodeau for pouring his heart into the job and acknowledged the "tremendous success" he brought. However, it seems that anything short of a title is now inadequate. This abrupt coaching change stresses just how dramatically expectations have shifted in New York.
Why cut ties with a coach who was seemingly doing everything right? Reading between the lines, the front office presumably saw those aforementioned "cracks" – the occasional offensive stagnation, the lack of adjustments, the heavy minutes on players – as signs that Thibodeau might not be the one to deliver a championship. Jalen Brunson voiced support for Thibs moments after elimination. Three days later, Thibodeau was gone. The suddenness of everything sent a message to the players: the Knicks are all-in on pursuing a title, even if it means tough decisions. Insiders described the decision as strange but telling of the Knicks' new mindset: good isn't good enough. New York will now seek a new head coach who can build upon Thibodeau's progress on defense while improving the offensive creativity and player rotations. The incoming coach would inherit a roster in its prime and the weight of enormous expectations from a 'hungry' fanbase. As celebrity Knicks superfan and actor Ben Stiller put it, "Thibs brought this team back… I'll always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again." The next coach's task: make them champions.
Window of Opportunity
For the first time in decades, the Knicks enter an offseason as legitimate contenders looking to finish the job. The 2024–25 campaign was an undeniable success – 51 wins, a conference finals appearance, and the resurrection of basketball at the Garden. However, it has also raised the bar. The front office's aggressive moves and the ousting of a successful coach show that just coming close won't satisfy these Knicks. There's a sense that the window is opening now. Jalen Brunson is in his prime, Karl-Anthony Towns has given New York a new dimension offensively, and Mikal Bridges plus OG Anunoby form the core of a steady defense. Role players like Hart, Robinson, and Quickley (should he be retained) round out one of the league's biggest threats. They have the pieces they need to win a chip, but the margins at the top are thin and the competition is fierce. The franchise now has to focus on hiring the right coach, possibly tweaking the roster (do they need more shooting? or another playmaker off the bench?), and making sure to build on this year's team chemistry.
If nothing else, the Knicks have earned back the league's respect. No longer are they the butt of jokes who are made fun of not coming too close since their 1973 ring. They are a team with a dream and the courage to chase it. As the Pacers and Thunder reach the Finals this year, the NBA landscape is clearly wide open, and New York's turn may just be next. These recent moves have been risky, but they are consistent with the franchise's bold attitude. The Garden has waited over 50 years for a championship, and after this season, they can finally see a path to that goal. The clock is ticking in New York, and the message is clear: bring home a ti le. This season was the spark of hope; the next will determine if New York's fire can burn all the way to the top.