The New York Knicks are focused on attempting to close out the team’s playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Yet, fans are already looking ahead wondering about the Knicks’ potential path to the Eastern Conference Finals.
For now, the Sixers still have a glimmer of hope, but Philly is facing elimination.
Heading into Game 4, the Knicks need to win one more game and could have as many as four opportunities to make that happen. One more win would send the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Who would the Knicks play next and when would the Eastern Conference Finals start? The Knicks would play the winner of the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers series.
As for the Eastern Conference Finals schedule, the dates depend on when these two series end. The NBA revealed that Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals set to start on May 17. This date can be moved up to May 17, if both series end early.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Knicks news and rumors.
If the Knicks Advance, New York Faces Either the Pistons or Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals
The Knicks would obviously prefer to end the series sooner rather than later. It would allow key Knicks players to rest and get healthy, including OG Anunoby who has been dealing with an injury.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown pointed to the team’s role players as a major reason for the team’s success. New York got off to a slow start to the NBA playoffs trailing the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round, but the Knicks have since gotten hot.
“Sometimes, you start this guy. And what hopefully it shows at the end of the day coming from me is that I have confidence in them, and not only that, your number can be called any time, so be ready,” Brown noted, per New York Post. “And our guys have taken that to heart.
“We’ve got a lot of good guys that are resilient. They’re fighters. And they’ve done a good job of keeping their mind on staying present in whatever we’re doing, and it’s showing when they go out there and get the opportunity.”
The Knicks Have Caught Fire in the NBA Playoffs Since Trailing the Hawks
The Knicks versus Pistons remains the most likely matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals with both teams leading their respective playoff series. Detroit swept the regular-season series against New York 3-0.
New York won two of three games against Cleveland during the regular season. Karl-Anthony Towns pointed to trailing the Hawks in the first round as a turning point for the Knicks.
“The real change for us came before Game 4 in Atlanta,” Towns explained, per SNY.TV. “That’s when we really changed our offense. It’s been great. It’s been something I’ve talked about for a lot of the season, to feel like we can help our guys [on offense] more. We made the right moves.
“It was the perfect time for all of us to really get on the same accord. There’s no better time to be playing your best basketball than right now. So shout out to Mike and really the whole coaching staff for putting us in the best position to succeed.”
For now, the Knicks are focused on the 76ers, but it is hard for fans not to imagine potentially being one series away from the NBA Finals.
Knicks Playoff Schedule: Who & When Would NY Play Next in Eastern Conference Finals?