Before their recent spate of injuries, the New York Knicks were the talk of the NBA.
During one stretch, from January 17 to February 1, the Knickerbockers won nine straight games, putting them in the conversation for second place in the East, behind only the dominant Boston Celtics.
However, with injuries to Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, they have fallen on hard times, losing nine of their last 13 games.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
NBA great Paul Pierce is honored to be selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on February 20, 2022. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
They are missing two-time All-Star Randle, who has a dislocated shoulder. And while he was only on the team for a short time, Anunoby provided a much-needed three-and-D after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors.
The Knicks have been scratching and clawing with makeshift lineups, leading some players like Deuce McBride, who normally comes off the bench, to play 47 and 46 minutes in their last two games.
Therefore, they could, and will, look very different in time for the playoffs. But an NBA legend doesn't believe it.
Paul Pierce said the Knicks are impressive from the outside, but it seems like he thinks they can be understood.
“The Knicks are like an Instagram model,” Pierce said. on his podcast with former teammate Kevin Garnett.
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is helped by medical staff after an injury during the second half against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. (Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports)
NEW JERSEY HS BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFF GAME ENDS IN BUZZER-BEATER CONTROVERSY
“I'm on Instagram and I'm like, 'Damn, she's cool.' Then you see them in person and you're like… 'Is that you?' “There are too many filters.”
“They're two different things: reality versus digital?” Garnett asked his former teammate. “So what am I watching on TV?”
“An Instagram model. They have that Fashion Nova,” Pierce responded, predicting a first-round exit.
New York has fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but is only a half-game ahead of a play-in spot (seeds 7-10). New York is 36-26, while the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, without Joel Embiid, are 35-26. The Knicks have the same record as the Orlando Magic, who hold the tiebreaker for fourth place.
Miles McBride of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court during the third quarter of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on March 5, 2024 in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It remains to be seen when Randle and Anunoby will return. Brunson avoided a serious injury and is expected to return in the coming days.
The Knicks host the Magic on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in a game that could have huge playoff implications.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
