The New York Knicks continue to oscillate between dominant stretches and puzzling lulls, a pattern highlighted in a recent analysis by The Athletic’s Fred Katz. With 23 regular-season games remaining, the club’s mix of brilliance and breakdowns has left its postseason outlook unclear.
Katz spotlights forward Karl-Anthony Towns as the clearest example of the team’s volatility. On certain nights he functions as an offensive catalyst—running the floor, sinking rhythm trailer threes and making sharp interior passes. On others, his impact evaporates, such as a four-shot first half followed by a single second-half attempt that Katz likened to “quiet as a library.”
The inconsistency extends beyond Towns. Point guard Jalen Brunson’s defense has wavered, swingman Mikal Bridges drifts in and out of games, and wing OG Anunoby’s shooting remains streaky. Center Mitchell Robinson is still ramping up after injury, while Josh Hart, despite converting 40 percent from deep, occasionally hesitates from long range.
Head coach Mike Brown has experimented with zone looks, tighter-spacing lineups and a concept-driven offense rather than rigid sets. While the adjustments could foster growth, they also introduce risk as the schedule tightens.
New York sits among the Eastern Conference’s top five, yet its identity is still a work in progress. With late February now on the calendar and June ambitions in mind, the Knicks must stabilize quickly to maximize a ceiling that, when reached, appears as high as any in the conference.
Source: Hoops Wire
