BOSTON (AP) — The New York Knicks, aiming to position themselves among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference, find themselves grappling with consistency as they approach the midway point of the season. After suffering a 118-105 loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, this marked the third time the Knicks have been bested decisively by the Celtics this season.
Knicks guard Josh Hart reflected on the challenge of competing with such established talent, acknowledging the Celtics’ strong roster filled with All-NBA and All-Star players. “We’re not trying to close the gap with the Boston Celtics,” Hart stated. “We’re trying to make sure we get ourselves where we need to be at the end of the year, and right now we’re not there.”
Having also experienced a significant defeat against the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers just two days earlier, the Knicks appear to be in a phase of reevaluation. Despite narrowing the gap with a third-quarter rally, they ultimately could not sustain the momentum in the fourth quarter.
Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of progress, recognizing that learning and improvement are essential for contending against teams like Boston. As the Knicks currently sit third in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Celtics and Cavaliers, there is urgency for them to regroup and enhance their performance, particularly on defense, where they have struggled against high-caliber offenses.
Karl-Anthony Towns acknowledged the team’s ongoing development, stating, “We’re a work in progress. We’re going to be a work in progress all season until the day we step into the postseason.” This sentiment underscores the team’s commitment to growth, following their summer acquisitions of players like Towns and Mikal Bridges, intended to bolster their competitiveness.
As the Knicks look toward future matchups, there’s hope that continuous improvement will pave the way for them to compete more effectively against the league’s elite, establishing themselves as real contenders come playoff time.