The New York Knicks are enjoying a successful season, currently holding a 37-19 record and likely securing a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.

Although the return of Mitchell Robinson could bolster their interior defense, the overall team defense remains a critical concern as they aim for postseason success.

Their recent loss to the Cavaliers on February 21, 2025, with a final score of 142-105, further highlighted these struggles, as the Knicks have been outscored by an average of 21 points in their six defeats to top teams.

While Towns and Brunson combined for 49 points in the loss, the team struggled with three-point shooting, being heavily outscored in that area.

As the playoffs approach, the Knicks need to develop effective strategies to compete against playoff-bound teams.

Fans are growing increasingly concerned about the Knicks' ability to perform in the playoffs, as history shows that some teams excel in the regular season but falter in postseason play.

Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to face the Boston Celtics on February 23, 2025, which could potentially worsen their record against top teams to 0-7.

In their recent loss, key players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 26 and 23 points respectively, but their efforts were insufficient to keep the game competitive.

Defensive issues have plagued the Knicks, ranking just outside the bottom 10 in defensive efficiency and allowing an average of 126 points in losses to elite competition.

Additionally, Josh Hart's absence in the recent loss to Cleveland underscored the Knicks' struggles without him, despite his contributions in previous games against top teams.

However, despite their overall success, the Knicks have struggled against elite teams, holding a concerning 0-6 record against the top three teams: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics.

The team's defensive strategy, featuring a perimeter trio of Anunoby, Hart, and Mikal Bridges, has not yielded the expected results against strong opponents.