Are Knicks Peaking Too Early?

The New York Knicks' recent woes could be cause for concern.
Jan 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA;  New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) looks to drive past Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Jan 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) looks to drive past Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are struggling after losing three straight for the first time this season.

While the first loss came to a worthy opponent in the Oklahoma City Thunder, the other two were winnable games against the Chicago Bulls and short-handed Orlando Magic, who were on the second night of a back-to-back on the road.

Injuries are starting to have an impact as Karl-Anthony Towns missed the game against the Magic with an ailing knee. Towns' injury, along with nicks for Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride show that the amount of minutes the Knicks rotation has played could be starting to take its toll, and the team isn't even halfway through the regular season.

If the Knicks want to make it all the way to the NBA Finals, they still have about 60-70 games to go, and at this rate, they won't make it.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has been firm in his stance regarding his rotations and his stubbornness has proven to be a hurdle in the past. But now, he may be forced to open up his rotation in order to keep his team afloat.

The Knicks' frequency at home over the next couple of weeks should help soften the blow, but that shouldn't hide the fact that this team looks gassed after the first half of the season.

They could get a new wind in the coming weeks that could help them advance to the playoffs with the right mindset, but that shouldn't be the goal.

If the Knicks want to play their best basketball come playoff time, they need to find a way to make sure they get there as healthy as possible.

The Knicks are back in action tonight at home as they take on the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.