Projecting NY Knicks starting 5 lineup and key storylines to watch for in 2024-25 season

It’s been five months since the New York Knicks walked off the Madison Square Garden court after a Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, banged up and left to wonder what might’ve been had they stayed healthy.

Now Tom Thibodeau’s team will get another chance to find out, bolstered by the additions of two more stars to a starting five the Knicks hope can live up to expectations as one of the most formidable starting fives in the NBA.

And the Knicks won’t have to wait long for their first big test.

They’ll open their season Tuesday night against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics at TD Garden, a chance to test themselves against the team that will likely stand in their way as they chase a championship that’s remained elusive for 51 years.

Expectations are high. Can the Knicks live up to them? We’re about to find out.

NY Knicks projected starting five for 2024-25 season

Jalen Brunson , point guard

Brunson was the Knicks’ engine last season , averaging 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game in the regular season while shooting 47.9 percent from the field, including 40.1 percent from three-point range. Brunson set the tone with his energy and heart, the personification of what Thibodeau expects from his players. And Brunson proved just how much he wants to win by accepting a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension in the offseason, $113 million less than he could’ve gotten had he waited a year. That allowed the Knicks financial flexibility to keep bolstering the roster.

Mikal Bridges , shooting guard

Bridges became the latest former Villanova player to join the Knicks when the team acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason. Last season Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from the perimeter on 7.2 three-point attempts per game. He’s another player who will bring the defensive toughness that Thibodeau loves. In some ways, Bridges joining the Knicks was a long-time coming – the Knicks could’ve drafted him with the ninth overall pick in 2018, but instead went with Kevin Knox, who turned out to be a draft bust.

Josh Hart , small forward

Hart was the Knicks’ ironman last season, averaging 33.4 minutes in 81 regular-season games and practically never leaving the court in the playoffs. He averaged 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the regular season while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from long distance. Hart’s defensive tenacity is also crucial to the team’s success. There is some question as to Hart’s role – he told reporters following the Knicks’ preseason game Friday in Washington that he was “lost” and openly considered the possibility of coming off the bench. Regardless, Hart’s do-it-all presence on the court is pivotal.

OG Anunoby , power forward

The addition of Anunoby, who the Knicks acquired last December in a trade that sent RJ Barrett to the Toronto Raptors, gave the Knicks another stellar defensive player who can guard multiple positions. The Knicks went 20-3 during the regular season with Anunoby in the lineup. With Anunoby and Bridges, the Knicks have the type of wings who can battle with elite wings in the East, notably Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The biggest question with Anunoby, who signed a five-year, $212.5 million contract with the Knicks in June, is his health. He missed 27 games after joining the Knicks last season because of an elbow injury, then missed more time in the playoffs with a hamstring strain. Anunoby played 50 regular-season games or fewer in three of the past four seasons. Still, when he’s healthy, he’s clearly a difference maker for the Knicks.

Karl-Anthony Towns , center

It’s a homecoming for Towns, the Edison native and St. Joseph Metuchen product whom the Knicks acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this month. The Knicks sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota as part of the deal. He averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season as an All-Star. Towns, who shot 41.6 percent from deep on 5.3 three-point attempts per game in the regular season, will help the Knicks stretch the floor and create space inside for Brunson to drive the basket. The 7-foot Towns will also boost the Knicks’ rebounding. The Knicks needed a center after Isaiah Hartenstein left for the Thunder in the offseason and Mitchell Robinson reportedly out until January as he recovers from ankle injuries.

3 storylines facing NY Knicks for 2024-25 season :

1. How will Knicks' new players fit together?

The Knicks clearly had a good thing going last season. They had good chemistry, driven by Brunson and the other Villanova Knicks. Now they have a new-look starting five. Any changes are going to require adjustments. It’s going to be interesting how this all fits together – though, again, on paper the Knicks have one of the best starting lineups in the league.

2. How much will Knicks’ miss Donte DiVincenzo?

Part of what made the Knicks such an incredible story last season was their toughness and resilience, and DiVincenzo was right in the middle of all of that. He plays with a chip on his shoulder – just take a look at his confrontation last week with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson. DiVincenzo, who shot 40.1 percent from the perimeter on 8.7 attempts per game, fit perfectly in the Knicks’ lineup.

3. Do Knicks have enough frontcourt depth?

It’s pretty thin entering the regular season. The Knicks already are without Robinson for a while, as mentioned above. Then the team announced Sunday that Precious Achiuwa suffered a strained left hamstring Friday against the Wizards and will be re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks. The Knicks are going to need back-up minutes from Jericho Sims, and they also have rookie Ariel Hukporti. Time will tell if that will be enough until Robinson returns.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Projecting NY Knicks starting 5 lineup and key storylines to watch for in 2024-25 season