Assessing postseason experience on the Knicks’ roster

The New York Knicks have done the improbable, clinching the two seed in the Eastern Conference on the final day of the regular season. A game-82 matchup with the Bulls was pushed to overtime, but the Knicks prevailed, reaching the 50-win mark for the first time since the 2012-13 season and ultimately clinching home court for at least two series (should they get there).

That being said, the job’s just getting started.

The real season starts on Saturday, with the Knicks hosting the first game of their first-round matchup. Tomorrow, their opponent will be decided in the play-in game, and either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Miami Heat will be coming to town.

In anticipation of their first-round series, let’s take a look at the playoff experience of the current Knicks’ roster, broken down into three categories: Starters, bench players, and players who are out of the rotation.

Starters

Let’s get hot right out of the gates. Jalen Brunson is a BIG time playoff performer.

Luka Doncic wasn’t at 100% for the start of the 2022 playoffs, and the Mavs were in search of a miracle to keep them afloat in the postseason. Enter Jalen Brunson. JB, who had averaged just over 16 points per game on the year, burst onto the scene and into the national spotlight. In the Mavericks’ first-round series against the Jazz, he averaged 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on efficient shooting splits. Dallas won the series in six.

The Mavs made the Western Conference finals, but they declined to bring Brunson back in free agency the following offseason. The Knicks took a flier on him. Now we’re here.

Last postseason, his first as a Knick, Brunson put up astonishing numbers. In 11 games, he averaged 27.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.JB has delivered time and time again, and he’ll be the focal point of the New York offense the rest of the way. Don’t be surprised if the man touches 30 every night.

His backcourt buddy, Donte DiVincenzo, is another ultimate winner. Both Brunson and DiVo won championships at Nova, but Donte has a ring at the NBA level, too. A starter for the 2020-21 Bucks, DiVincenzo was injured just three games into the playoffs and ultimately was sidelined for nearly all of their playoff run. But he still has a ring to show for it, and that experience combined with his 26 games of playoff experience means that the moment shouldn’t be too big for him, even with an expanded offensive role.

Canadian export OG Anunoby had spent his entire career with the Toronto Raptors up until this year’s trade deadline, and he has two playoff series wins as a starter under his belt. In 27 games, all of which he’s started, Anunoby has been incredibly efficient, shooting 49% from the field and 39% from three.

Also, he gave us this iconic bubble moment.

Moving to the frontcourt, Josh Hart is another one of those guys with a ring from his Nova days. His NBA playoff experience has been limited, though, and last year he made his debut in the Knicks’ playoff run. That being said, he hit some big shots in big moments and is the kind of dude who is the ultimate playoff role player.

Rounding out the front 5, Isaiah Hartenstein enters his first postseason as a starter. Last year, he came off the bench for New York in his only meaningful playoff experience, posting subpar numbers. This year he plays a completely different role, though, and should be expected to make a big difference in the Knicks’ fortunes.

Bench unit

There’s not too much to add here for the bench unit, who have generally been limited to last year’s playoff appearance in terms of experience. At least, that’s the case for Deuce McBride and Mitchell Robinson. Robinson was the X-factor in the first-round series against the Cavs last year, putting up dominant numbers, while McBride only played spot minutes without a real role. This postseason, they’re expected to be two of the first guys off the bench.

Deadline addition Bojan Bogdanovic has 47 playoff games under his belt, 33 of which were starts. He’s appeared in series for Brooklyn, Washington, Indiana, and Utah. His most recent playoff run was with the Jazz, and in the three series he suited up for them, Bogdanovic posted 18.1 points per game on 42% from downtown. He could be a defining factor for the Knicks, especially if he keeps up the efficient offensive game he flashed at the end of the regular season.

Precious Achiuwa played in one series alongside OG for the Raptors in 2021-22, averaging double digits. He was called on in game 82 versus the Bulls and could see spot minutes at any time during the playoffs.

He might not get real playoff minutes, but Alec Burks deserves to be mentioned in this tier. An old Thibs sweetheart, Burks couldn’t find his shot in New York after being acquired alongside Bogdanovic at the deadline. I just wanted an excuse to post this.

Out of the rotation

A basketball team is the sum of all of its parts, and it’s worth looking up and down the roster in search of winning DNA. Mamadi Diakite has a sneaky ring with the Bucks, and one from his collegiate days with Virginia. Sure! DaQuan Jeffries isn’t much of a playoff guy. Neither is Jericho Sims. The only dude at the end of the bench who’s played meaningful playoff minutes is Shake Milton. 426 minutes, to be exact. We’ll take what we can get.

Anyways, that’s that. Taking inventory is always fun. Honestly? The Knicks have some dawgs, and some experience to back it up. Most of the guys playing meaningful minutes have been around here before. All of this is to say that the moment shouldn’t scare anyone. New York has overcome expectations time and time again. Who’s to say things won’t be any different this time around, too?