With the Knicks officially clinching their second playoff berth in three seasons, it is likely that they will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first-round series. This has been the expected matchup for quite some time now due to the lack of movement in the standings but it will be a fun one nonetheless.
Hopefully, this series goes much better than the Knicks’ playoff matchup against the Hawks, as we all know how that one went. This Cavaliers team is not one to take lightly, as they have a deadly combination of young players looking to prove themselves and veterans looking to win it all.
However, if these three Knicks players can stand out like they have all season, the tide could very quickly shift in the favor of New York. Despite this, there are still some players to be worried about entering this massive playoff matchup.
3 Knicks X-Factors that could stun the world in the playoffs, 2 that could fall flat and disappoint
X-Factor #3: SG, Quentin Grimes
One of the most underrated players on the Knicks all season has been second-year shooting guard Quentin Grimes, who has shown that he is already one of the premier 3&D wings in the league.
While his basic box score stats from the season may not be the most mind-blowing to look at, once you take a deeper look into his film and see how he has played as of late, you can begin to realize just how important he is to the Knicks’ success.
Through 68 games, Grimes is averaging 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 45.9% from the field and 38.1% from three on 5.5 attempts. In addition to this, Grimes has been one of the best defenders for New York all season long.
What makes Grimes’ game even better is that he is not just a three-point specialist as he is shooting 73% on his layup attempts and 50% on his shots between 16-23 feet. This sort of offensive versatility is what this Knicks offense thrives off of and has been key to the team’s success all season long.
If Grimes can keep this level of play up entering the playoffs, the Knicks could have a recipe for success as not only will he play a key role in guarding Donovan Mitchell, but he could provide anywhere from 10-20+ points at an efficient rate.
Even if he just plays at his normal pace, Grimes will provide crucial defense and shooting that was not present during New York’s 2021 playoff loss.
X-Factor #2: PG/SG Immanuel Quickley
One of the most important players to the Knicks’ success this season has been Immanuel Quickley, who has had a breakout year on both sides of the ball. He has been playing at such a high level that he could very well win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Not only has Quickley had his best offensive season by far, but he has made an unprecedented leap on the defensive side of the ball, potentially playing his way into an All-Defensive team selection, which would make him the first Knick to do so since Tyson Chandler.
While Quickley certainly still has moments where his shots refuse to fall, his defense has consistently made up for that all season. However, we’re confident that he will find immense amounts of success against the Cavaliers’ bench unit come playoff time.
The spark Quickley provides off the bench is something very few NBA teams have. A player like Malcolm Brogdon may be more consistent, but how Quickley can explode for 25+ off the bench any given night is special.
Hopefully, the consistency we have seen out of Quickley sticks around for the postseason because if he can remain the serious threat that he is the Knicks could potentially dominate the Cavaliers.
X-Factor #1: SG/SF Josh Hart
It didn’t take long for Knicks fans to fall in love with Josh Hart following his trade to the team and it’s easy to understand why. Not only has he been one of the most consistent players on offense, but the defense and hustle he brings to New York have been a massive game-changer.
The kind of player Hart has been since coming to the Knicks is the kind that will turn the tide of a playoff series very easily. This is because his two-way prowess off the bench is inexplicably valuable.
In the 22 games Hart has played with the Knicks, he has averaged 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting an absolutely ridiculous 62.2% from the field and 56.5% from downtown on 2.1 attempts.
Hart’s energy since joining the Knicks has been special, you can tell how badly he wanted to play for a team like this and it’s been amazing to see. This kind of energy and level of play always translates well to the playoffs.
The Cavaliers have plenty of elite offensive weapons, but the two-way play of Quickley, Grimes, and Hart could do a great job at helping slow them down while providing their own points offensively.
Having three players like this is going to be the difference between this upcoming series and the Knicks’ last playoff loss to the Hawks. However, there are still some players for New York who could cause problems for their own team.
Julius Randle could have a repeat playoff performance
We all know just how amazing of a season Julius Randle has had. Not only did he make his second All-Star team, but he very well could make yet another All-NBA team. Despite this, fans are still rather worried about how this play will hold up in the postseason, especially given his sprained left ankle that could keep him sidelined into the playoffs.
Randle has been better and more consistent this season than in 2020-21, and the addition of Jalen Brunson will lessen the offensive load on his shoulders that he had to deal with in the Knicks’ last playoff matchup, but there are still concerns to be had.
In the aforementioned series against the Hawks, Randle averaged 18.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting a horrific 29.8% from the field and 33.3% from deep on 6.6 attempts, making for an all-time collapse by a star player.
Alongside this, he has been far from perfect and has had his fair share of poor performances that are reason enough to be worried about the playoffs.
Hopefully, the addition of Brunson alongside the incredible play of the aforementioned X-Factors will make things easier for Randle this time around, but fans are still going to be concerned about his level of play in the postseason until he shows us that we shouldn’t be.
RJ Barrett’s play this season has fans worried about the playoffs
Entering his fourth year playing alongside Brunson and Randle, it seemed like RJ Barrett was finally primed to have the breakout season fans have been expecting out of him. However, fans have gotten quite the opposite of that.
Barrett may not be playing necessarily worse than last season, but the lack of consistency he’s displayed has fans extremely concerned about the playoffs, especially against a team like the Cavaliers.
Through 71 games this season, Barrett has averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field and 31.7% from deep on 5.3 attempts. In addition to this, his defense has taken a bit of a step back compared to prior seasons.
This sort of inconsistency is what kills teams in the playoffs and is something the Knicks cannot afford to deal with against the Cavaliers. Alongside this, Barrett’s previous playoff performance makes it even more difficult to believe in him.
While there are plenty of offensive weapons on the Knicks who could mitigate Barrett’s struggles, the Knicks will still be in pretty rough shape if he doesn’t turn his level of play around before their playoff matchup.
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