The Knicks were 21-45 when the NBA season was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, 9.5 games behind the Orlando Magic for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But if the regular season resumes, they could automatically be in a play-in playoff tournament.
A source confirmed to SNY's Ian Begley that a play-in plan is under consideration, but cautioned that there are many hurdles to get past with that plan -- including the potential impact it would have on the order for the NBA Draft Lottery.
The source added that "everything remains on the table."
The play-in plan under consideration was first reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post, who wrote that one potential scenario would have the teams in ninth through 12th place in each conference participating in a four-team single-elimination tournament, with the winner of that tournament playing the No. 8 seed for the chance to secure the final spot in the playoffs.
New York is currently in 12th place, with the Washington Wizards in 9th, the Charlotte Hornets in 10th, and the Chicago Bulls in 11th.
The Knicks, who have made the playoffs just three times in the last 15 seasons, were last in the postseason during the 2012-13 season, when they beat the Boston Celtics in six games in the first round before losing to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
