Knicks X-Factor

1 week ago | knicksxfactor.com | Michael Nania |Robby Sabo

After a New York Knicks regular season that would be described as mildly underwhelming by most, Tom Thibodeau’s seat is slightly warm entering the playoffs. The Knicks will be held to a high standard in their first-round series against the upstart Detroit Pistons. With back-to-back semifinals exits in the rearview and the defending champion Boston Celtics looming – who the Knicks went 0-4 against this season – this first-round series is about the second-round implications more than anything.

1 week ago | knicksxfactor.com | Robby Sabo

On this particular night, the New York Knicks looked different. They felt changed. They played with more energy and togetherness. For the first time this season, the 2024-25 New York Knicks appeared to be whole. Mitchell Robinson‘s return to the lineup resulted in a thrilling 114-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, courtesy of a heroic OG Anunoby 3-pointer with just 5.3 seconds left in regulation. Yes, OG Anunoby was big here, but how Jalen Brunson made this play to find him is incredible.

1 week ago | knicksxfactor.com | Robby Sabo

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Even the diehard fans who compared last year’s New York Knicks to those of the tough and rugged early-to-mid-1990s squads knew the two squads were extremely different. After all, what we know of the loose and fluid basketball of today can’t even dream of resembling the physical and grinding nature of the game three decades ago (shoot, even two decades ago).

1 week ago | knicksxfactor.com | Holden Gumb |Robby Sabo

Well, that ended just about as quickly as it began. New York Knicks rookie center Ariel Hukporti is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee during his first career start against the Philadelphia 76ers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti has suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, sources tell ESPN.

1 week ago | knicksxfactor.com | Robby Sabo

It wasn’t pretty, but ugliness sometimes happens, and that’s exactly why Jalen Brunson exists. Despite leading big for most of the game, the Philadelphia 76ers roared back in the fourth quarter. In fact, they held a four-point lead with just 2:42 remaining in regulation. Feb. 26, 2025: Final Fortunately for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson decided to take over the game.