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1 Former Knicks player team will face in playoffs, 3 others New York could play

By Jordanna Clark

Jan 29, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) reaches for the net over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 102-84. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) reaches for the net over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 102-84. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks are back in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons and will face the Cavaliers in the first round. The team that everyone thought that was going to trade for Donovan Mitchell versus the team that actually traded for Donovan Mitchell, what could be better for the NBA?

There’s a lot for Knicks fans to be excited about. This season’s team is better than the one that finished No. 4 in the East two years ago. From Jalen Brunson to Immanuel Quickley, the thousands of fans that file into MSG should be in for a treat in the 2023 playoffs.

Since New York’s matchup against Cleveland is already set in stone, there’s already one Knick that the team will face in the playoffs. If the Knicks advance past the Cavaliers in the first round, they’ll face the winner of the series between the Bucks and the No. 8 seed, which will be determined in the play-in tournament.

It would be monumental if New York were to advance past Cleveland to the second round. Assuming that Milwaukee will do the same, here’s one former player that the Knicks will face in the first round, and three others the team could play if they advance.

1 former Knicks player team will face in playoffs, 3 others New York could play

4: Thanasis Antetokounmpo

If the Knicks and Bucks both advance past round one, New York will get to see its No. 51 pick from the 2014 NBA Draft. Before being drafted by the Knicks, Thanasis played for the Delaware 87ers during the 2013-14 season after being selected by the team in the 2013 NBA Development League Draft. Although he’s Giannis’ older brother, he was drafted by an NBA team one year after his younger brother.

Thanasis played for the Knicks at the 2014 Summer League before being acquired by Westchester later in the year. At the end of the 2014-15 season, he was named to the 2015 NBA D-League All-Defensive second team. He represented New York again at 2015 Summer League, and in August of that year, he signed with the Knicks. However, after playing in three preseason games, Thanasis was waived in October.

After going back to Westchester, he signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks in January 2016. He appeared in only two games before returning to Westchester. From 2016-2019, Thanasis played overseas before signing a contract with Milwaukee in July 2019.

Thanasis is averaging 0.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in an average of 4.0 minutes in 35 games this season for Milwaukee. If New York and Milwaukee clash in the second round, the 30-year-old won’t be a threat to the Knicks (except if he tries to headbutt another player again).

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