Before the 2025-26 NBA season started, everyone had the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks destined to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. They were believed to be head and shoulders better than the rest of the East. Things are never that simple.
With the well-documented injury setbacks for the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, there was a power vacuum. It was understandable why people immediately gravitated to the Cavaliers and Knicks in the process, but more threats always were bound to emerge.
Some suspected the Atlanta Hawks would join the pair. Others thought it might be the Orlando Magic.