Knicks Playoff Scenarios Remain Fluid Heading Into Final Week

New York can still finish as high as the No. 2 seed in the East, but the Celtics hold a 3.5-game lead.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:50am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with the sharp planes and overlapping shapes representing the competitive tension between the Knicks and Celtics as they battle for playoff positioning.The Knicks' path to the playoffs remains uncertain, with a potential second-round matchup against the rival Celtics looming.Boston Today

The New York Knicks have already clinched a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but their exact seeding remains uncertain with one week left in the regular season. The Knicks currently sit in third place in the East, trailing the Pistons and Celtics, and they have three potential playoff scenarios - finishing as the No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 seed. New York's path to the playoffs could go through the rival Celtics, who have a better record despite playing most of the season without star Jayson Tatum.

Why it matters

The Knicks are looking to build on last year's surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but their playoff positioning will have a major impact on their potential path through the postseason. Finishing as the No. 3 seed could mean a second-round matchup with the Celtics, while the No. 2 seed would be a more favorable route. The Knicks' final three games will be crucial in determining their final seeding.

The details

The Knicks entered Tuesday's action as the No. 3 seed in the East, one game ahead of the Cavaliers. New York has three games remaining - against the Celtics, Raptors and Hornets - and they cannot finish lower than the No. 4 seed. The Celtics currently hold a 3.5-game lead over the Knicks for the No. 2 spot, making that a difficult goal to achieve. However, the Knicks could still potentially overtake the Celtics with a strong finish.

  • The Knicks have three regular-season games remaining, with their final game scheduled for Sunday, April 12 against the Hornets.
  • The NBA playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 18.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who has missed significant time this season due to injury.

LeBron James

A veteran forward and four-time NBA champion who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a fine season for the Knicks, who reached the 50-win mark, but a team that entered the season with realistic hopes of winning the East doesn't look like the juggernaut many expected.”

— Dan Treacy, Author

What’s next

The Knicks' final three games will determine their playoff seeding, with the possibility of a second-round matchup against the rival Celtics if they finish as the No. 3 seed.

The takeaway

The Knicks have put together another strong season, but their playoff positioning remains in flux heading into the final week. Their potential path to the Eastern Conference Finals could go through the Celtics, who have been one of the top teams in the East despite injuries to their star players.