Thu Apr 10 22:10:00 UTC 2025: **Knicks Rest Key Players Ahead of Playoffs, Eyeing Rematch with Celtics**
NEW YORK (AP) — With the playoffs looming, the New York Knicks are prioritizing the health of their key players. Ahead of Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, the team announced that OG Anunoby (thumb), Josh Hart (knee), and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will sit out. This comes after Anunoby and Hart played heavy minutes in Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks, currently vying for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, may also rest other starters, including Jalen Brunson, in their remaining regular season games. Brunson, returning from an ankle injury, is showing improvement but is not yet at full strength. Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the need to balance getting Brunson back to peak form with the approaching playoffs.
The Knicks’ recent performance has been inconsistent. While they boast a 50-29 record, they’ve struggled against top-tier opponents, winning only one of their last six games against teams with a winning record. Their record against teams with a top-10 defense is even worse – 3-17. Their upcoming matchup against the Pistons, a likely first-round opponent, holds added significance given Detroit’s Cade Cunningham’s past success against the Knicks.
The Pistons, currently projected as the No. 6 seed, pose a significant threat, having already defeated the Knicks twice this season. The Knicks’ hope is that resting key players now will position them for a potential rematch with the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
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