The New York Knicks face a challenging slate following the NBA All-Star break, with three of their next five games against top-tier Eastern Conference teams. The Knicks, currently at 36-18, kick off with a matchup against the struggling Chicago Bulls, who are clinging to the Play-In spot after trading their leading scorer, Zach LaVine.

The Knicks then face the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, both of whom have bested them in prior meetings this season, emphasizing the difficulty of the upcoming stretch. The Cavaliers, bolstered by the addition of De'Andre Hunter, and the Celtics, with their record-setting three-point shooting capability, pose significant threats. The Knicks are also looking to reintegrate key players, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, as they aim to bolster their competitive edge.