New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is guarded by Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns help Knicks clinch No. 3 seed

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 10, 2026 11:03 PM ET

As the NBA playoff field takes shape in the final days of the regular season, the New York Knicks now officially know their place.

With their 112-95 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, the Knicks have clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York's record sits at 53-28 with two games left before the playoffs get underway.

A recipe they need to carry over into the postseason, the Knicks were led by their two top stars against the Raptors.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were both at the top of their games in the Knicks' seed-clinching win

Jalen Brunson, averaging exactly 26.0 points per game on the season, scored 29 in 31 minutes and also contributed three rebounds, a pair of assists and two steals while connecting on 12-of-18 shots from the field.

Joining Brunson at his best, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 22 of his own, registering a double-double with 10 boards and five assists on the night. Towns averages 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in 75 games played.

Brunson & KAT starred with efficiency!

JB: 29 PTS (12-18 FGM), 2 STL
KAT: 22 PTS (8-12 FGM), 10 REB, 5 AST

Knicks win and clinch the #3 seed in the East pic.twitter.com/PaJEwnJFTI
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2026

Mikal Bridges even helped out with 13 points on a 5-for-10 shooting night.

Nothing matters if the Knicks don't have success in the playoffs

But as Knicks fans know all too well, nothing matters if they don't follow up last season's Eastern Conference Finals appearance by taking the extra step of getting the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

Playing well at the right time, there's reason for confidence after an up-and-down season based on the team's recent play. New York has won five games in a row and is 7-3 in their last 10 games. And most notably, the Knicks now have back-to-back wins over playoff teams, having defeated the rival Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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