This loss is a sign for the Knicks to explore the trade market and grab legitimate depth before the Feb. 6 deadline. Plenty of experienced veterans will be or are already available, and New York has assets to spare.

Monday’s loss marked the Knicks’ third straight defeat, exposing the fragility of their already short rotation.

For a third straight game, the New York Knicks looked flat, tired, and, at times, outmatched. Against a shorthanded Orlando Magic team that was missing Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz and Mo Wagner,

New York faces the Orlando Magic after Karl-Anthony Towns scored 44 points in the New York Knicks' 139-126 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

One happens, two is a slight concern, and three is a trend—but three, in conjunction with falling to the most wounded team in the land, is when a team officially hits the skids.

In a back-and-forth contest between the East’s No. 3 and 4 seeds, the Magic limited New York to its lowest point total of the season on Monday night.

In spite of the Magic entering the matchup without a player who is averaging double-digit points on the season, they continued to play the Knicks tough. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the Magic ahead, 53-51 after a last second Jett Howard three to take the lead.

The Sixers entered this season laser-focused on the playoffs, but they apparently forgot that they first have to win enough games to get into the playoffs.

With that said, here is the 11th edition of the NBA Power Rankings: Previous ranking: 30 The Wizards are squarely in the driver's seat for the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. They rank dead last in the league in both offensive rating and defensive rating and Washington's focus for 2024-25 should be on moving the veterans and developing the youngsters.

The Orlando Magic have dealt with a slew of injuries that could've derailed their season at multiple points. But, Orlando stayed afloat.