Knicks at the All-Star Break: Where They Stand

Best first half in over 25 years, so why doesn't it feel that way?

At 36-18, the Knicks are off to their best start at the All-Star break since 1997, boasting one of the league’s top records and the second-best offense in the NBA.

Yet, despite their success, uncertainty remains. Questions linger about just how far the Knicks can go.

Defense remains the Knicks’ biggest concern, as they rank 18th in the NBA on that end of the floor. Their two best players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, can be defensive liabilities—an issue that elite teams will undoubtedly look to exploit come playoff time.

The Knicks are 0-5 against Boston, Cleveland, and OKC, with Boston alone outscoring them by a combined 50 points in two matchups. Against the top eight teams in the East, they have a losing record, raising concerns about their ability to compete with the league’s elite.

Brunson’s biggest challenge is his lack of size, which Boston has repeatedly exploited by targeting him in mismatches.

Karl-Anthony Towns also struggles defensively and is vulnerable in pick-and-roll situations, making him a focal point for opposing offenses.

I don’t see an easy fix for these issues. The Knicks aren’t going to bench Brunson or KAT, so the only real solution is for them to improve defensively—but that may not be realistic. And when it comes to the long-term outlook, the answer remains just as unclear.

Despite having their best season in over 25 years, the Knicks still seem just shy of true championship contention.

It’s tough to envision them winning a title with Brunson and KAT as their two best players—they simply give up too much on the defensive end.

Mikal Bridges is the X-factor in the Knicks’ quest to reach their full potential this season. His first half has been somewhat disappointing—flashing moments that justify the steep price the Knicks paid for him but also too many stretches where he’s disappeared.

Bridges has been inconsistent with his defense and jump shooting, and he needs to play with more aggression on offense to make a greater impact.

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The Knicks find themselves in a tough position, seemingly locked into the No. 3 seed in the East. That likely sets up a daunting second-round matchup against Boston—a team that has been a nightmare for them.

A series against Cleveland would be far more favorable. If the Knicks fall in the second round again, it would feel like little to no progress has been made.

But that wouldn’t be entirely fair—this team has a much higher ceiling than past versions, backed by the fifth-best point differential in the NBA.

It’s important to remember that the Knicks are a top-five team in the league right now—something fans couldn’t have dreamed of just five years ago.

Brunson and KAT are All-Star starters and two of the NBA’s best players, but their combined defensive weaknesses make them vulnerable in a seven-game series.

To be clear, the KAT trade was a big win for the Knicks. However, where they may have misstepped is the Bridges trade—giving up most of their assets for a player who isn’t quite a star has limited their ability to make major upgrades moving forward.

I can’t help but wonder which stars might become available this offseason and whether the Knicks would have been better off saving their assets instead of trading for Bridges. If those picks were still on the table, Giannis would have been my ideal target.

For better or worse, this will be the Knicks' core for the foreseeable future.

While their assets are limited, they should have enough flexibility to make one more significant move. Targeting a versatile two-way wing who could push Josh Hart to the bench should be the priority.

One factor to watch is the return of Mitchell Robinson—could his presence make it harder for elite teams to score as efficiently against the Knicks? We have yet to see how the new-look Knicks perform with him back in the lineup. However, given his injury history, it’s tough to rely on him too much. Still, he would provide a different look defensively.

Hopefully, Mitch and OG Anunoby return after the All-Star break, giving the Knicks a chance to silence concerns about their struggles against top teams. Two of their first three games post-break will be key tests against Cleveland and Boston.

All is far from lost—the Knicks are still enjoying their best season in over 25 years, remain a top-five team in the NBA, and boast multiple star players.

However, expectations have shifted—failing to advance further than last season would now feel like a disappointment.

I hate to say it, but that’s the reality the Knicks may be facing. It’s hard to see a path where they can beat Boston in a seven-game series.

While we should appreciate what has been the best Knicks season in recent memory, it’s hard to shake the lingering doubts about their title chances.

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