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For the first time since the 2012-13 season, the New York Knicks will be in the playoffs.
Despite having the night off, the Knicks clinched a playoff berth on Wednesday by virtue of the Boston Celtics losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team entered the evening needing only the Celtics to lose, a scenario that seemed unlikely since the Cavaliers had lost 11 straight. Instead, the Cavaliers pulled off the win and helped the Knicks in the process.
The playoff berth caps off what has been a tremendous first season with Tom Thibodeau as head coach.
Under Thibodeau, who is considered to be a leading Coach of the Year candidate, the Knicks have posted a 38-31 record this season. Their 38 wins match the combined total of the past two seasons after going 21-45 and 17-65, respectively.
The Knicks share a similar record as the Miami Heat in fifth place and are just half of a game behind the Atlanta Hawks in fourth place. With three games left, there is a possibility New York can climb even higher in the standings.
After clinching the first playoff berth in eight years, several players on the team took to social media to celebrate the accomplishment.
WE HERE.
The New York Knicks are headed to the Playoffs. #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/kpp3Pu3RJr
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 13, 2021
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO 🧡💙
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 13, 2021
Check it off the list. We not close to done #NYWEHERE
— Julius Randle (@J30_RANDLE) May 13, 2021
CLINCHED! 🙏🏾
— Immanuel Jaylen Quickley (@IQ_GodSon) May 13, 2021
New York let’s go to the PLAYOFFS!!!😁😁
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) May 13, 2021
Perhaps most importantly, the recent four-game losing streak by the Celtics ensured the Knicks avoided the play-in tournament. Additionally, teams with their tickets punched to the playoffs will receive nearly a full week off in between the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
The playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, May 22.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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