SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 06: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John’s Red Storm poses for a photo after winning the Men’s Coach of the Year award during the Naismith Awards Brunch at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts on April 06, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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The Knicks haven’t won an NBA championship since 1973, but former Knicks coach Rick Pitino says the franchise has “the best team” in this year’s postseason despite the presence of the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Knicks will play in their second straight Eastern Conference Finals against either the Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers beginning Sunday or Tuesday.
The Knicks, who swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, would have homecourt advantage against Cleveland, which is 1-5 on the road in the playoffs, but not against Detroit, which dominated the Knicks in three games this season.
“The only negative is the home court,” Pitino, the Naismith Hall of Famer St. John’s coach, told the New York Post. “Outside of that, I think the Knicks have the best team. Now OKC obviously is great, they’re the defending champions. But the Knicks are deep talented, and the way they are playing offensively – I don’t mean 3-point shooting, I’m talking about the ball movement, player movement – it’s so much better than I watched in January.”
Now that they have adjusted their offense to emphasize Karl-Anthony Towns more as a point big man, the Knicks have won seven straight playoff games and have a point differential of +194 in these playoffs.
ESPN analyst Jay Williams said during the Sixers series that the Knicks “look and they felt like a team that could win the NBA championship.”
The Knicks expect to get OG Anunoby back from a hamstring injury for the next round, but they still have work to do.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 23: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks reacts after dunking against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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The Pistons or Cavs will present a significant challenge, and the Thunder remain the team to beat until proven otherwise.
“Let’s just everybody calm down with comparing them to Oklahoma City,” ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst said Friday on “Get Up.” “Let’s calm down. The Knicks would love the opportunity to do so. Oklahoma City is 8-0 in the playoffs so far, but I understand why Knicks fans are so excited.”
Windhorst pointed out that the Knicks “haven’t really been soundly beaten” since losing to the Houston Rockets, 111-94, on March 31.
“So I understand your optimism, but let’s everybody slow your roll,” he said. “Worry about the conference finals before predicting they’re the best team.”