Everyone has been talking about the highly anticipated Western Conference Finals showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder—and rightfully so. After a thrilling Game 1 that left the basketball world buzzing, the series has become a heavyweight battle between two of the NBA's brightest powers.
While the Spurs and Thunder dueled it out in a heavyweight battle out West, another contender has quietly made history in the East.
The New York Knicks have secured their first NBA Finals appearance of the century. Many view them as the underdog against whichever team emerges from the Western Conference. However, based on their postseason performance, that assumption may be premature.
Let's examine why the Knicks should not be overlooked in the championship conversation.
Depth is fueling the Knicks' NBA Finals run
The NBA is home to the best basketball players in the world. Winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy requires talent, depth, discipline, and a little injury luck. Championship teams need every piece to fall into place. The Knicks check nearly every box.
Jalen Brunson drives the offense as the team's closer and primary playmaker. His shot creation and composure consistently keep defenses guessing in critical moments. Alongside him, Josh Hart provides the energy that fuels New York's identity. He defends relentlessly, crashes the glass, and embraces every dirty-work assignment.
On the wings, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby have become one of the league's most effective two-way tandems. Their defensive versatility disrupts opposing offenses, while their shooting stretches the floor, which keeps defenses honest.
That combination proved devastating against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both players shot over 45% from the field, while Bridges caught fire and connected on a staggering 57% from the field throughout the series.
Meanwhile, on the interior, Karl-Anthony Towns has given New York another dimension offensively. His passing ability from the high post and top of the key allows Brunson to work off the ball more frequently. That versatility has made the Knicks far more difficult to defend. The depth doesn't stop there.
Mitchell Robinson anchors the paint with his defensive activity and rebounding. Miles McBride provides an instant scoring spark off the bench. Meanwhile, Landry Shamet can catch fire in an instant and swing momentum with his perimeter shooting.
As a result, New York can comfortably rely on a rotation nearly 10 players deep. The results have been historic.
During their current 11-game winning streak, the Knicks have outscored opponents by 262 points. That mark stands as the best point differential over an 11-game stretch in NBA history, regular season or postseason. They have a +271 point differential overall through 14 games, an NBA record.
They are just the seventh team in NBA history with a +200-point differential or better. Every single one of them won the title.
Team | Season | Point Differential |
|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Bucks | 1970-71 | +203 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 1986-87 | +205 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 2000-01 | +204 |
San Antonio Spurs | 2013-14 | +214 |
Golden State Warriors | 2016-17 | +230 |
Golden State Warriors | 2017-18 | +210 |
Not a bad list to be on as a championship "underdog."
The Knicks have secret weapon
Every championship team needs a secret weapon. For the Knicks, that weapon is Karl-Anthony Towns.
One challenge every contender faces against the San Antonio Spurs is size. Towns gives New York an answer. His unique skill set allows him to operate as a seven-foot playmaker who can see over defensive coverages and create opportunities for teammates. That ability has unlocked another level of the Knicks' offense this postseason.
Towns is averaging a career-high 5.9 assists per game during the playoffs. He has joined rare company, becoming one of the few centers to average at least 5.5 assists through 10 playoff games. The others are Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Nikola Jokic.
While his scoring numbers have dipped, Towns continues to provide a dimension few teams can match. His ability to stretch the floor pulls opposing centers away from the basket, opening up driving lanes for Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the rest of New York's attack. At the same time, he can punish smaller defenders in the post and facilitate offense from the high post.
More importantly, Towns has embraced his role as the Knicks' secondary playmaker and offensive hub. That evolution has made New York less dependent on Brunson and far more unpredictable offensively under Mike Brown's offensive system.
His combination of size, shooting, and passing creates matchup problems for every remaining contender. In a postseason often decided by versatility, Towns gives the Knicks a weapon few teams possess and even fewer can stop.
Every champion needs a closer and the Knicks have one
To be the last team standing and hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, teams need a player they can trust when the pressure reaches its peak. Every championship dynasty has had one. The Boston Celtics had Larry Bird in the 1980s. The Chicago Bulls had Michael Jordan in the 1990s. The Los Angeles Lakers had Kobe Bryant in the 2000s.
The New York Knicks have arguably the NBA's best closer in Jalen Brunson. Brunson has been spectacular throughout the postseason, but his fourth-quarter production separates him from everyone else. He leads all players with 9.2 fourth-quarter points per game while shooting an absurd 59% from the field, 52% from three, and 92% from the free-throw line.
His 72% true shooting percentage makes those numbers even more remarkable. No game better showcased Brunson's poise than Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Knicks trailing by 22 points midway through the fourth quarter, Brunson orchestrated an improbable comeback and led New York to an overtime victory. The comeback not only stole home-court advantage, but it also appeared to shatter Cleveland's confidence for the remainder of the series.
That's what separates great players from championship-caliber closers. When every possession is magnified and the pressure is at its highest level, teams need a player who remains calm. A player who embraces the moment rather than fears it. A player willing to take responsibility when everything is on the line.
The Knicks have that player in Jalen Brunson. He doesn't just survive those moments—he thrives in them.
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