Knicks need to clear three obstacles to make big playoff run
NY Post
There’s typically not much to project into the playoffs from individual regular-season matchups. The Knicks beat the Heat three of four times last season, for instance, then dropped four of six when it really, really mattered.
That’s especially true when one of the teams, the Knicks, is missing three difference-makers because of injuries. So though it was disappointing Saturday for the Knicks to get bombed again by the Celtics, 116-102, it did nothing to answer the question of how they’d stack up with OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson on the court.
Maybe we’ll find out in May. Maybe the Knicks won’t even get to that month. Just like Randle’s recovery timeline, this is all fluid.
Regardless, there comes a point in the building process when the state of the competition is significant. That’s where those darn Celtics come into play. Boston has hoarded talent with a core still in its 20s, most notably 25-year-old Jayson Tatum. A run for Leon Rose’s construction, if not this season then somewhere down the line, will inevitably run into Boston.
The Knicks can thank the Nets for trading Danny Ainge the draft picks he used for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“I’m going to take our roster and our team over anybody in the league,” Knicks forward Josh Hart said beforehand. “That’s the mentality you have to have. I think once we get back healthy and in full swing then everyone gets accustomed to playing with each other, I think we can beat any team.”
The offseason signing of Vladislav Gavrikov became exponentially more important for the Rangers when Adam Fox was ruled out for the foreseeable future.
Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.
After leaving practice early on Monday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury, Adam Edstrom did not suit up Tuesday night against the Stars.
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BOSTON — Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the Knicks front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the team.
The Jets won a game on Sunday, an entertaining 27-24 victory over the Falcons on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by 41-year-old kicker Nick Folk.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dillon Brooks found himself in a familiar place Monday night — right underneath LeBron James’ skin.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest hockey player to miss time because of a bizarre off-ice injury, after the St. Louis Blues said he is considered week to week after sustaining burns to his legs as part of a home accident. No other details were provided.
For a rebuilding Nets team, this season isn’t just about tanking for tomorrow’s lottery pick, but also developing the young players they have today.
After losing one of the top power-play defensemen in the NHL for at least the next several weeks, the Rangers are going to try something unconventional to spark their inconsistent season.
The Mets agreed to terms with Devin Williams, which means they now have exactly one viable right-handed reliever on their roster.