The Knicks are in.
After failing to clinch a playoff spot on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Miami Heat did New York a favor by defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 122-112, on Thursday night.
The Knicks are now guaranteed a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, allowing them to avoid the play-in tournament.
Now, the next question is where the Knicks will be seeded. With 10 games to go, the Knicks (45-27) are the three-seed in the conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers (59-14) and the Boston Celtics (54-19) are too far ahead to catch, so the highest seed the Knicks can get is to remain at No. 3 but there are some interesting wrinkles forming for this team.
First, they are dealing with plenty of injuries especially at the point guard position. Jalen Brunson is still recovering from his ankle sprain, but he'll likely return before the end of the regular season. However, Miles McBride (groin) and Cam Payne (ankle) are also on the mend and will miss Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Without many experienced true point guards, the Knicks will have to find ways to fend off the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers (43-30). Just three games separate the two teams.
Another factor is the Knicks' strength of schedule, which is the seventh-toughest according to Tankathon.
If the Knicks hold on to the No. 3 seed, and the other teams remain in the same positions, they'll face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round with a date with the Celtics in round two.
Falling to the four-seed will put the Knicks on a collision course with the upstart Detroit Pistons before taking on the Cavaliers in round two.