Knicks Aim to Avoid Celtics in Playoffs with Win Over Rockets

New York looks to gain ground on Boston with key road victory in Houston

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:39pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the dynamic movements and competitive nature of the Knicks-Rockets matchup.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Knicks and Rockets, capturing the intensity and strategic complexity of their late-season clash.Oklahoma City Today

The New York Knicks head to Houston to take on the Rockets in a crucial late-season matchup, as the Knicks look to gain ground on the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning, with the Knicks hoping to avoid a second-round rematch with the Celtics. The Knicks have been strong on both ends of the floor since the All-Star break, while the Rockets have struggled to generate consistent offense around Kevin Durant.

Why it matters

This game has major playoff implications, as the Knicks look to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings and potentially avoid a tough second-round series against the Celtics. The Rockets, meanwhile, are trying to prove they can beat a contender-level team as they prepare for the postseason.

The details

The Knicks have been one of the league's better teams since the All-Star break, going 13-7 with the eighth-best net rating in the NBA. They've been strong on both ends of the floor, ranking in the top seven in both offensive and defensive rating. The addition of Jose Alvarado has provided a boost, as the Knicks have been 8.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. The Rockets, on the other hand, have struggled to generate consistent offense around Kevin Durant, and their secondary playmaking has been an issue. Houston has only two wins against top-six seeds in either conference since the break.

  • The Knicks are 48-27 on the season, just two games behind the Celtics for the second seed in the East.
  • The Rockets have gone 12-9 since the All-Star break, but only two of those wins have come against top-six seeds.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who has been a key part of their success this season.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' superstar forward, who has been carrying the team's offense since the All-Star break.

Jose Alvarado

The Knicks' trade deadline acquisition, who has provided a boost off the bench and helped cover for the injured Miles McBride.

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What they’re saying

“If New York wants to avoid facing Boston in a road second-round series again, tonight's game against an out-of-sorts Houston Rockets team is critical.”

— Griffin Wong, Analyst

“Proving that they can beat a contender-level team would be a nice boost heading into the postseason for the Rockets.”

— Griffin Wong, Analyst

What’s next

The Knicks will look to build on this game as they continue their push for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while the Rockets will try to use this as a springboard to prove they can compete with the league's top teams.

The takeaway

This game has major implications for both teams' playoff positioning and aspirations. The Knicks are looking to solidify their spot behind the Celtics in the East, while the Rockets are trying to show they can hang with the conference's elite. The outcome could have a significant impact on the postseason landscape.