Analyzing Potential First-Round Playoff Opponents for Knicks

Emerson Raymont

Published: April 12, 2026 10:11 PM ET

The New York Knicks have secured the third seed heading into the playoffs, making the season finale at Madison Square Garden relatively inconsequential. As they prepare for their matchup, the Knicks are opting to rest four of their five starters, with Mikal Bridges being the only regular in action against the Charlotte Hornets. The Knicks are keenly watching other games, as their first-round opponent is yet to be finalized.

Potential First-Round Playoff Opponents for Knicks

Currently, the Knicks are most likely to face the Toronto Raptors in the first round. However, the exact matchup hinges on several key games taking place simultaneously, all starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Here’s a breakdown of possible scenarios:

Most Likely: Knicks vs. Raptors

Scenario 1: Toronto beats Brooklyn; Atlanta beats Miami.
Scenario 2: Toronto beats Brooklyn; Miami beats Atlanta; Orlando beats Boston.
Scenario 3: Brooklyn beats Toronto; Miami beats Atlanta; Orlando beats Boston.

The Brooklyn Nets are struggling and are expected to lose against the Raptors. Despite this loss, it won’t significantly impact their lottery position. If the Raptors win and Atlanta defeats Miami, or if Orlando tops Boston, Toronto will secure the fifth seed.

Possible: Knicks vs. Hawks

This matchup becomes plausible if:

Toronto beats Brooklyn.
Miami beats Atlanta.
Boston beats Orlando.

However, this scenario is tricky since it depends on the unlikely event of Boston defeating Orlando. The Magic are pushing to improve their playoff positioning, while the Celtics are resting key players.

Unlikely: Knicks vs. Magic

For this matchup to occur, the following outcomes would need to happen:

Brooklyn beats Toronto.
Atlanta beats Miami.
Orlando beats Boston.

The likelihood of the Nets winning their game is very slim, making this scenario a long shot.

Least Likely: Knicks vs. Sixers

This matchup is the most challenging for the Knicks to face, requiring:

Brooklyn beats Toronto.
Boston beats Orlando.
Philadelphia beats Milwaukee.

These outcomes depend heavily on the Nets defeating a motivated Raptors team, which is highly improbable given the current circumstances.

As playoff preparations grow more critical, the Knicks remain focused on their potential first-round opponents. Monitoring the outcomes of these pivotal games will determine who they face in their postseason journey.