The New York Knicks’ Sudden Decline: What’s Behind the Team’s Struggles?
The New York Knicks, who were once on top of the NBA world with a 23-9 start, have hit a rough patch, going 2-9 in their last 11 games. The team’s recent performance has been marred by poor defense and offense, with a 28th-ranked defensive rating and 25th-ranked offensive rating during this stretch. The Knicks’ struggles were on full display in their 114-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, where they were booed by their own fans at Madison Square Garden.
Coach Mike Brown is scrambling to find answers, but the problems seem to be widespread and defy easy diagnosis. “If we’re playing crappy, boo. If I were in the stands, I’d probably boo too,” Brown said, acknowledging the team’s poor performance. The Knicks have been plagued by injuries, with Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson missing games due to ankle issues, but even with a full roster, they have struggled to find their rhythm.
Injuries and Lineup Issues
The Knicks’ injury woes have been relatively mild, but they have still had a significant impact on the team’s performance. Hart and Brunson’s absences have been felt, and even with them back in the lineup, the team has struggled to find consistency. The loss to the Mavericks was particularly puzzling, given that the Knicks had a rare day with a full roster. “Halftime, we usually do the clips and talk about technical X’s-and-O’s and all that crap that coaches do, teams do,” Brown said. “There was nothing to be said at halftime. Except for lock in and do your job.”
The Knicks’ problems are not limited to injuries, however. The team’s lineup has been a concern, with Karl-Anthony Towns being a useful scapegoat due to his conspicuous flaws. Towns has struggled to get up many three-pointers, despite being a key part of the team’s offense, and has been supine on the court more often than expected. However, these issues do not fully explain the team’s struggles, and Towns still drives elite offense and survivable defense when paired with Brunson.
Trade Rumors and Roster Concerns
Trade rumors are now circulating around Towns, with the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo being a potential target. However, it’s hard to envision a package that wouldn’t be outclassed by another team. The Knicks will struggle to find a trade partner with high interest in Towns, and they will struggle to find a trade that would leave them with a workable rotation. Moving Towns would likely mean betting on the health of center Mitchell Robinson, which has been a historically bad bet.
The Knicks also lack assets that could be used to improve their return in a trade. The team spent five first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges in 2024, but he has been a disappointment, with his performance being worse than advertised on both ends of the floor. This trade looks increasingly rough, and the Knicks are either locked into this build or headed for a talent downgrade in a trade.
Perhaps this is a situation where the group of players can no longer co-exist, and a trade is necessary for human reasons. Maybe Brown will figure out how to get the team to play hard again, or get something out of deep rotation players like rookie wing Mo Diawara. Or maybe he’ll soon be out of his fifth head coaching job in the NBA. One thing is certain, however: the Knicks need to find a way to turn their season around, and fast.
As the Knicks continue to struggle, fans are left wondering what’s behind the team’s sudden decline. Is it injuries, lineup issues, or something more? One thing is certain: the Knicks need to find a way to turn their season around, and fast. With the trade deadline looming, the team will need to make some tough decisions to get back on track.
