Are the Knicks Running Out of Steam? Breaking Down Their Recent Slump

The New York Knicks may not want to admit it, but the team looks worn down. With injuries piling up and a packed schedule taking its toll, their struggles were on full display during Monday night’s 111-97 loss to the Orlando Magic. The Knicks shot below 45% from the field and managed just four three-pointers in their third straight defeat.

The bigger issue seems to lie in the team’s lack of depth and heavy reliance on their starters. Several of New York’s key players rank among the league leaders in minutes played this season. This trend has sparked concerns about lineup management, even as head coach Tom Thibodeau points to conditioning as the root cause of their fatigue.

“To make it through the season, you build your conditioning over time,” Thibodeau said after the game. “The players who are serious about their craft understand the importance of preparing in the offseason. Early in their careers, they might not fully grasp the demands of an NBA schedule, but that commitment makes a difference.”

Despite the visible signs of exhaustion, the team’s leaders aren’t willing to lean on fatigue as an excuse. “We can say that, but it’s not the reason we lost tonight,” Jalen Brunson said. “We don’t say we’re tired. That’s not who we are.”

Still, the results on the court suggest otherwise. As the Knicks look to snap out of this rough patch, the question remains: can they maintain their energy and focus through the grueling stretch ahead?