This 2025-26 season is probably the Knicks’ best chance at winning a championship. Now, does that mean it will happen? Certainly not, but as a die-hard Knicks fan, the East is wide open for them this year, and they need to take advantage.

With Tyrese Haliburton being out for most of, if not the whole season, and the loss of Myles Turner at center, the Pacers will probably focus more on the 2026-27 season and punt this year. The other team is the Celtics. Even though the Knicks did beat them in 6 games last season, the Celtics will most likely miss the playoffs this year with the loss of Jayson Tatum due to the Achilles rupture and the loss of Porzingis and Jrue Holiday during the offseason. 

The only teams in the Knicks’ way this year, possibly, are the Cavaliers and the reigning champs, the OKC Thunder. The Cavs are coming off a phenomenal regular season in which they won over 60 games and were the 1st seed. They did, however, get knocked out in the 2nd round by the Pacers. 

I believe the Cavs will be good again, as they do have the same roster for the most part from last season, plus the addition of Lonzo Ball. I do believe the Knicks, however, have a deeper team than the Cavs, as the Knicks have added Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, and Malcolm Brogdon to the bench. 

I do believe that the real test for the Knicks, of course, would be the reigning champs, as stated above. The Thunder have one of the best teams and deepest teams in the league. As well as, of course, reigning MVP SGA. The Thunder were in the top 5 in PPG and OPPG last season. Their offensive rating last season was 3rd in the league, and their defensive rating was 1st overall.

 I do believe a Knicks vs Thunder Finals is possible if all goes right and if everyone can stay healthy for the Knicks. If they were to get that far, it’d be a fun series and could definitely result in a Knicks championship for the 1st time in 50+ years. 

With the injuries to some of the top teams in the East and no super teams as of right now, the Knicks most certainly have a chance at a ring this year. It all will come down to their performance, health, and Mike Brown’s coaching decisions. This Knicks team took the next step last season and made their first conference finals since 2000, now it is time for them to take it even higher and get to the Finals, hopefully holding that Larry O’Brien above their heads.

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