# Knicks and Thunder's Postseason Shifts

> Knicks and Thunder face injury chaos as NBA bracketology projects 20-team postseason field.
- Title: Knicks and Thunder's Postseason Shifts · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Knicks and Thunder face injury chaos as NBA bracketology projects 20-team postseason field. Knicks and Thunder's injury struggles reshape NBA playoff…
- Keywords: nba, knicks, thunder, playoffs, injuries, postseason, bracketology, 2027, CBS Sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-bracketology-projecting-20-team-postseason-field-nov-3
- Published: 2026-11-03T15:50:57+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nba, knicks, thunder, playoffs, injuries, postseason, bracketology, 2027, sports
## Knicks' championship hopes falter
The Knicks are riding high off their first championship in 53 years but now scramble to recover after losing their first three games.
## Thunder's injury crisis deepens
The Thunder sustained injuries to three starters: Jalen Williams (ankle and fibula), Cason Wallace (shoulder), and Chet Holmgren (knee).
## Multiple star injuries across league
Anthony Edwards (knee), Kawhi Leonard (knee), Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), Jalen Duren (hamstring), Paolo Banchero (ankle), Jaren Jackson Jr (knee) and Ja Morant (hamstring) all missed multiple games.
## Eastern Conference shifts
The Sixers, Knicks, Celtics, Rockets, Raptors and Timberwolves are bunched up behind the Spurs and Thunder in playoff projections.
## Projected Eastern Conference top six
Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers.
## Pistons' playoff ambitions
The Pistons have reminded everyone why they were the top seed in the East last season but need more shot creators to help Cade Cunningham.
## Celtics' resilience
The Celtics look competitive despite struggles in Houston on Monday and Jayson Tatum's MVP questions.
## Sixers' clutch performance
The Sixers lead the league in clutch victories with six of seven wins coming in games decided by five points or fewer.
## Knicks' starting lineup strength
The Knicks have the best starting five in the NBA despite not starting the season as dominant as their championship run.
## Raptors' Kawhi Leonard dependency
The Raptors' playoff success is directly tied to Kawhi Leonard's availability.
## Cavaliers' roster thinness
The Cavaliers' starting five is among the best in the league but the roster gets thin after that.
## Western Conference top six
San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers.
## Spurs' injury resilience
The Spurs are the biggest beneficiaries of the league-wide injury virus that has yet to infect them.
## Thunder's injury challenge
The Thunder face the biggest challenge since developing into a perennial contender with three starters out for significant time.
## Key takeaway

Knicks and Thunder's injury struggles reshape NBA playoff projections for 2027.