Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

One-Time NBA Champion Makes Bold Knicks Claim

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 10:55 PM ET

The New York Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-20 record. They are one of the favorites to make the 2026 Finals out of the Eastern Conference, and the stats back them up.

They currently have the third-best offensive rating in the league, at 118.9, despite having one of the slowest offenses at 98.67. They have multiple players — led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — who can take control offensively.

Mike Brown has also kept the team disciplined defensively, as New York ranks 11th in defensive rating at 112.8. They're especially tough to score on in the interior, as their 44.8 opponent points in the paint allowed per game ranks fifth in the league.

As the NBA season prepares to enter its final stretch, one of the team's former players made a bold claim about the Knicks' postseason future.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) tries to drive past New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges.Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Iman Shumpert Thinks the New York Knicks Will Make the 2026 Finals

Former Knick and one-time NBA champion Iman Shumpert recently appeared on "SportsCenter" and claimed that the Knicks have a great chance of finally making their first NBA Finals run since 1999.

"I know people are gonna say 'cos I'm a Knicks guy, but I look at the makeup of the Knicks," Shumpert said. "At the end of games, you know how it's gonna go, we've seen it work."

Are the Knicks primed to win the East?@imanshumpert thinks so, and it's not because he's a "Knicks guy." pic.twitter.com/nVdhSG9kJn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2026

He pointed out the Knicks' struggles and how they still managed to win.

"I know they've had some lumps, had some injuries, KAT's had his problems. But when this team locks down and plays well… when Bridges is playing well as well as defending, I think they're a really tough team to match up with," Shumpert explained.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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