The New York Knicks will start the Eastern Conference Finals at home, facing the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the series.
The Knicks come into the matchup as strong favorites, aiming to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs.
While New York’s championship aspirations remain intact, the Boston Celtics’ hopes ended after the Knicks beat them in six games during the second round.
The reigning champion Celtics fell short of advancing beyond the second round this season, losing to the Knicks in six games, and now face an intriguing offseason ahead.
On Monday, general manager Brad Stevens spoke with the media about the future of Boston’s roster and also took a jab at the Knicks during his press conference. “They are peaking,” Stevens remarked about the Knicks. “It’s clear to see.”
Stevens’ comment is both bold and unexpected, especially considering New York knocked Boston out in the second round of the playoffs.
It’s worth noting the Knicks strengthened their roster last offseason by acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, aiming to build a team capable of challenging Boston in the Eastern Conference — a goal they ultimately achieved in the postseason.
Led by a core group featuring Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart, the Knicks have established themselves as legitimate championship contenders — a status they seem poised to maintain for the foreseeable future.
Still, Stevens suggested that the Knicks are reaching their peak this season — a comment that may have been fueled by the frustration of Boston’s second-round loss, during which New York erased two 20-point deficits to take Games 1 and 2 and ultimately win the series in six. Regardless, Stevens’ remark came off as a jab at the Knicks, and New York will be eager to prove him wrong both this season and beyond.