The New York Knicks won’t have the luxury of a slow restart after All-Star Weekend.
Their final five games of February will present significant challenges, including matchups against the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.
The No. 3-seeded Knicks (36-18) will first face the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) on Friday after a warm-up against the Chicago Bulls the day before. They’ll then take on the No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics (39-16) on Sunday.
Beyond those tests, the Knicks will meet the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 26, a team hindered by injuries but expected to regain key players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry. Finally, they’ll close out the month with a Western Conference battle against the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies (36-18) on Feb. 28.
What a successful stretch will mean for the Knicks
For the Knicks, a successful stretch would mean finishing above .500 and securing wins against at least two of the three title contenders—Cleveland, Boston, and Memphis. New York has yet to defeat the Cavaliers (0-1) or Celtics (0-2) this season but holds a 1-0 series lead over the Grizzlies.
Size will be a key factor in these matchups. Knicks bigs Karl-Anthony Towns, Precious Achiuwa, and OG Anunoby have an opportunity to make a defensive statement against Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey, Cleveland’s towering duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis alongside either Al Horford or Luke Kornet.
Defense will be the primary storyline, but offensive efficiency is just as crucial—especially against a Sixers trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Eric Gordon, all capable of scoring 25+ points on any given night. From a playoff perspective, New York could close the 2.5-game gap between them and the Celtics. Overtaking Boston would secure home-court advantage until at least the Eastern Conference Finals, potentially setting the stage for a deep postseason run.
Ex-Mavericks, Knicks guard set to attempt NBA return
Several former NBA players who took their talents overseas are now eyeing a return to the league. On Tuesday, Lonnie Walker IV officially secured his comeback, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, it appears that former Mavericks, Knicks, and Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to follow suit.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Smith is set to leave Real Madrid and intends to return to the NBA this season. With teams still finalizing their rosters for the stretch run, the 27-year-old sees this as the perfect time to land on a team in need of backcourt toughness.
A ninth-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Smith’s early promise faded quickly after the Mavericks acquired Luka Dončić in a draft-night trade the following year. Deemed an awkward fit alongside Dončić, he was eventually sent to the Knicks in the deal that landed Dallas Kristaps Porzingis. However, his time in New York was short-lived, as he was later moved to the Pistons in the trade that reunited Derrick Rose with the Knicks.
After brief stints with the Hornets and Trail Blazers, Smith carved out a niche as a defensive specialist with the Nets. Despite this, he went unsigned last offseason, prompting a move to Europe. Now, he’s looking for a fresh NBA opportunity—a chance to reignite his career and find a stable role back in the league.
Which team could use the services of ex-Mavericks/Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr.?
Any team in need of backcourt depth might find Dennis Smith Jr. an intriguing option. His athleticism and defensive intensity make him a spark plug at the point guard position, capable of injecting energy into a lineup. However, his offensive limitations—particularly his lack of perimeter shooting—remain a concern.
A team like the Knicks could see value in bringing Smith back, while rebuilding squads such as the Nets, Hornets, or Trail Blazers—all former teams of his—might also consider taking a chance on him.
