Stephen A. Smith’s warning: Why the Knicks must win the 2026 NBA Title—Or wait 25 more years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Stephen A. Smith has officially sounded the alarm for the New York Knicks, and his message is clear: It is now or never.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn ESPN’s First Take, the passionate analyst laid out a stark reality for a fanbase desperate to plan a parade. “This is the best chance that the Knicks have had at a championship in over 30 years,” Smith declared, echoing the anxiety of millions of New Yorkers. He didn’t stop there, dropping a heavy reality check on the franchise, “if the New York Knicks don't win this year, it might be another 25 years, man.”
He’s completely right. The championship window is wide open, but in the modern NBA, windows slam shut fast. Here are the top three reasons why this is New York's absolute best chance to win it all in 2026:
More: Blake Griffin gets honest about the Knicks' defensive woes with Karl-Anthony Towns
1. Jalen Brunson's MVP Ascension:
Brunson is the undeniable heartbeat of this franchise. Averaging a stellar 27.0-points and over 6 assists this season, his clutch shot-making, and offensive command give New York the bona fide closer they need to survive grueling playoff battles.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2. The Karl-Anthony Towns Factor:
Adding a 7-foot floor-spacing unicorn in KAT unlocked an entirely new dimension to this offense. His elite three-point shooting pulls rim protectors out of the paint, creating endless driving lanes for Brunson.
3. The Ultimate Perimeter Defense:
With Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, the Knicks possess defensive cheat codes. They finally have the switchable, lockdown wing defenders required to neutralize the East's elite scorers like Jayson Tatum.
The roster is stacked. The time is now. No more excuses.
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