The Celtics and Pacers might've taken a step back, but the Knicks aren't the only team filling the void.
The Eastern Conference was turned on its head when Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum suffered respective Achilles injuries. All three were presumptively ruled out for the 2025-26 season, thus leaving a void that the New York Knicks seemed uniquely qualified to fill near the top of the standings.
The quiet truth that the Knicks are suddenly beginning to realize, however, is that they aren't the only team in the Eastern Conference that's prepared to take a significant step forward.