Daily Knicks
Fansided

NBA Playoff Picture: Where do Knicks stand after critical win over Heat?

By Jordanna Clark

Mar 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Knicks did what they needed to do on Wednesday in a 101-92 win over the Heat, but there was still a feeling of uncertainty after the game. Julius Randle didn’t return in the second half after spraining his left ankle, and on Thursday, it was reported that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks. Based on that timeline, the earliest he could return is in time for the playoffs, but that isn’t a guarantee.

The good news is that the Knicks have put themselves in a good position with five games left to play in the regular season. Not only did the victory over Miami push New York further away from the No. 6 seed, but it increased the chances that the Knicks will face the Cavaliers in the first round.

Although Randle’s status for the playoffs is unknown, there’s still reason to be optimistic about the team’s outlook to end 2022-23.

New York Knicks: NBA Playoff Bracket if 2022-23 season ended today

Eastern Conference

  • No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (55-21) vs. No. 8 play-in seed
  • No. 2 Boston Celtics (52-24) vs. No. 7 play-in seed
  • No. 3 Philadelphia Sixers (50-26) vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (41-35)
  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29) vs. No. 5 New York Knicks (44-33)

Eastern Conference Play-In Race

  • No. 7 Miami Heat (40-37)
  • No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (38-38)
  • No. 9 Toronto Raptors (38-38)
  • No. 10 Chicago Bulls (36-40)
  • No. 11 Washington Wizards (34-42)
  • No. 12 Indiana Pacers (33-44)
  • No. 13 Orlando Magic (32-44)
  • No. 14 Charlotte Hornets (26-51)
  • No. 15 Detroit Pistons (16-60)

If the season ended today, the Bucks would face the Hawks in the first round and the Celtics would face the Heat.

New York has a 2.5-game lead over No. 6 Brooklyn and a four-game lead over No. 7 Miami.

Western Conference

  • No. 1 Denver Nuggets (51-24) vs. No. 8 play-in seed
  • No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies (48-28) vs. No. 7 play-in seed
  • No. 3 Sacramento Kings (46-30) vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors (40-37)
  • No. 4 Phoenix Suns (41-35) vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers (41-36)

Western Conference Play-In Race

  • No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves (39-38)
  • No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers (38-38)
  • No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans (38-38)
  • No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder (38-39)
  • No. 11 Dallas Mavericks (37-40)
  • No. 12 Utah Jazz (36-40)
  • No. 13 Portland Trail Blazers (32-44)
  • No. 14 San Antonio Spurs (19-57)
  • Houston Rockets (18-59)

If the season ended today, the Nuggets would take on the Lakers in the first round and the Grizzlies would take on the Timberwolves.

Home/Knicks News