Although it feels as if the 2022-23 season started just yesterday, the regular season is quickly coming to an end. After a win over the Rockets on Monday, the New York Knicks have only six regular season games left on the schedule.
Even with Jalen Brunson sidelined for the second straight game with a right hand injury, New York snapped a three-game losing streak. The Knicks are still in control of the No. 5 seed in the East, but with the Nets and Heat 2.5 games back, New York needs to make one final push to close the season out on a high note.
Playoffs will be here before you know it, but before we make it there, let’s take a look at the Knicks’ remaining regular season schedule.
Knicks are No. 5 seed in East with six regular season games remaining
Wednesday, March 29: Heat at Knicks
This could be a revenge game for New York after a 127-120 loss to Miami last Wednesday. That was the game that Brunson injured his hand in and whether or not he’ll be able to play against the Heat is still unknown. Immanuel Quickley did say that Brunson practiced fully on Sunday, so one could assume that the Knicks decided to play it safe and keep him sidelined for Monday’s contest against the worst team in the West.
With or without Brunson, this will be an entertaining matchup with New York fighting to further separate itself from the No. 6 seed and Miami pushing to overcome Brooklyn for the No. 6 seed.
If Brunson can play, the Knicks should win this one. Immanuel Quickley had an incredible 40-point performance against the Rockets in Brunson’s place, but this will be a game where New York needs its star point guard.
Verdict: Win
Friday, March 31: Knicks at Cavaliers
For one final time in the regular season, the Knicks will face off against Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers. This could end up being a preview of the first round of the playoffs, but this contest won’t mean as much for Cleveland as the team has already clinched a playoff berth. The Cavaliers could sneak past the Sixers for the No. 3 seed, though.
Assuming that Brunson will be back for this game, it still feels as if New York is going to leave Ohio with a loss. The Cavaliers are in the midst of a five-game winning streak and will likely stay hot at home. The Knicks have won the last two matchups, so it would be fitting for the season series to end with a 2-2 record.
Verdict: Loss
Sunday, April 2: Wizards at Knicks
Fans at MSG will get to see Knicks legend Taj Gibson one last time in 2022-23. Washington is currently the No. 11 seed in the East, which is where New York finished last season. Bradley Beal hasn’t played since Mar. 21 due to left knee soreness and it was reported on Tuesday that he was being investigated for a postgame incident following the Wizards’ 122-112 loss to the Magic.
To add to that, Kyle Kuzma hasn’t played since Mar. 18 due to a sprained right ankle. Things aren’t looking great for the Wizards. If Beal and/or Kuzma don’t play (and even if they do), this game should result in a win for the Knicks.
Verdict: Win
Wednesday, April 5: Knicks at Pacers
New York will face Indiana twice in the final week of the regular season with the first matchup taking place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Knicks’ most recent game against the Pacers on Jan. 11 held more importance for both sides with both teams being close in the standings. Since then, though, Indiana has dropped down in the conference out of play-in range.
Depending on who plays (Haliburton, Hield, and Turner all missed the Mar. 27 game against Dallas), this game should be a win for the Knicks as the Pacers have already started to embrace their youth. With the end of the season around the corner, Indiana has seemingly already thrown in the towel.
Verdict: Win
Friday, April 7: Knicks at Pelicans
The main question for this game will be whether or not Zion Williamson will be back for New Orleans. On March 22, the Pelicans announced that Williamson had been cleared to return to on-court activities and that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks. There’s a chance that he could play against New York after being sidelined since early January with a hamstring injury.
Even if Zion plays, that shouldn’t affect the outcome given that he’ll be working to come back from an injury. In a packed Western Conference, New Orleans is in play-in range and could even creep into the top six.
Zion or no Zion, the Pelicans are a tough team. New Orleans is currently on a five-game winning streak. Even though the Knicks cruised past the Pelicans in late February, this could wind up being New York’s final loss of the regular season.
Verdict: Loss
Sunday, April 9: Pacers at Knicks
By this point, the Knicks will know what their positioning will be in the playoffs. New York could decide to rest a few players and Indiana could do the same in what will likely be the team’s final outing of 2022-23.
Even if the Knicks decide to give players like Miles McBride and Jericho Sims increased minutes in this game, New York should manage to close out the regular season with a win. Vibes will be high at the Garden as fans prepare to watch some playoff action, so you can expect the Knicks (even the young Knicks if that’s the case) to put on a show.
Verdict: Win
Based on the above game-by-game predictions, New York will finish the final six games of the regular season with a 4-2 record. That’s an outcome that every fan should be rooting for.
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