The New York Knicks’ sharp fall in the NBA power rankings is no longer just about losses—it’s about what the numbers are revealing underneath. After dropping nine of their last 11 games, the Knicks have slipped to No. 11 in USA TODAY Sports’ Week 13 power rankings, their lowest position in over a month.
At 25–18, New York still owns a winning record, but January has exposed a growing imbalance on offense, particularly in efficiency, ball movement, and shot diversity.
New York Knicks’ January Offensive Decline by the Numbers
In January, the Knicks’ offensive rating has dipped to the bottom third of the league, hovering around 108–109 points per 100 possessions, a steep drop from their early-season mark above 114. For context, league average offense sits near 113, meaning New York is now scoring 4–5 points fewer per 100 possessions than an average NBA team.
Even more concerning:
- Assist percentage has fallen below 56%, one of the lowest among playoff-position teams
- Turnover rate has climbed past 14.8%, up nearly 2 full percentage points from December
- Half-court efficiency has dropped into the league’s bottom 10
The offense has become increasingly predictable, with Jalen Brunson accounting for over 32% of the team’s usage rate during the losing streak. While Brunson continues to produce, the heavy reliance has made New York easier to defend late in games.
Comparing the New York Knicks to the League’s Elite
While New York sputters, several teams at the top of the rankings are separating themselves statistically.
- Denver Nuggets (No. 4) lead the NBA with a 122.9 offensive rating, despite missing Nikola Jokić for stretches.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1) combines elite defense with top-five efficiency, allowing fewer than 108 points per 100 possessions.
- Boston Celtics (No. 5) have surged into the No. 2 seed in the East, posting a net rating above +6.0, even amid uncertainty surrounding Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery.
By contrast, the Knicks’ net rating in January is negative, a troubling sign for a team that once ranked among the East’s most stable contenders.
Eastern Conference Implications
Boston’s rise and New York’s fall have reshaped the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics now sit firmly in the No. 2 seed, while the Knicks face pressure from teams like:
- Philadelphia (23–19)
- Cleveland (24–20)
- Orlando (23–19)
All three rank higher than New York in January offensive efficiency, despite similar or worse records overall.
League-Wide Context: Offense Is the Divider
Across the league, offensive rating has become the clearest separator in the standings:
- Detroit (31–10) and San Antonio (30–14) remain top-three teams due to consistent top-10 efficiency on both ends.
- Houston (26–15) has jumped seven spots thanks to improved shooting and pace, averaging 118+ points per game over the last three weeks.
- At the bottom, Washington and Atlanta share the league’s worst January offensive rating at 107.6, showing how quickly inefficient scoring sinks teams.
The Knicks, while nowhere near that level, are trending in the wrong direction.
What Must Change for the New York Knicks
Statistically, the Knicks’ path forward is clear:
- Reduce Brunson’s usage rate by 3–4%
- Increase off-ball scoring efficiency
- Improve three-point shot creation, where they rank outside the top 20 in January
- Restore defensive-to-offense transition scoring, which has dropped by nearly 20%
A players-only meeting signals urgency, but the numbers suggest systemic offensive issues—not just effort—are behind the slump.
Why the New York Knicks’ January Offense Is a Serious Concern
The New York Knicks’ slide in the NBA power rankings is fully supported by the data. Until their offense regains efficiency, balance, and tempo, New York risks drifting from contender status into the crowded middle of the Eastern Conference. In a league increasingly defined by offensive firepower, January has shown that scoring consistency—not just star talent—determines who rises and who falls.
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