The raptors vs knicks matchup on Friday carries major playoff weight for both teams in New York. Toronto can clinch a return to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2022 with a win, or with help from results elsewhere across the league. The Raptors enter the night fifth in the East after back-to-back wins over Miami, while New York is positioned to finish either third or fourth in the conference.
Toronto’s path is clear, but not simple
The most direct route for Toronto is a victory in raptors vs knicks, which would leave the Raptors no lower than sixth in the standings and lock in a postseason berth. Toronto can also clinch if Orlando, Philadelphia, and Charlotte all lose on Friday. That path is more complicated, but it is still live heading into the evening.
The Raptors have not beaten New York in four meetings this season and have lost 12 straight games against the Knicks overall. Toronto’s last win in the series came in January 2023, and the margin has not been close this year, with the Raptors losing by an average of 20. 3 points in the four matchups.
New York is not just playing spoiler
For the Knicks, raptors vs knicks is tied to seeding and a possible first-round matchup. A win would ensure New York finishes no lower than third in the East, with a move to the second seed still mathematically possible. It would not decide the opening-round opponent outright, but it would make a Knicks-Raptors first-round series more likely.
If New York loses, Toronto’s route to the fifth seed becomes much clearer and could push the Knicks toward a likely first-round meeting with Atlanta. That makes the result meaningful well beyond one night in the regular season.
What the standings picture looks like now
Toronto is tied with Atlanta at 45-35, but the Raptors own the head-to-head tiebreaker after a 4-0 season-series sweep. Both Toronto and New York are coming off home wins, and the Knicks remain home favorites for Friday night. The Raptors are also trying to avoid the play-in tournament, while New York is already locked into a stronger position in the East.
Other Friday games also affect the picture: Orlando faces Chicago, Philadelphia meets Indiana, and Charlotte plays Detroit. The Play-In Tournament begins on April 14, and the playoffs start on April 18.
What comes next
If Toronto handles raptors vs knicks, the club could secure its playoff return immediately or move much closer through outside results. If New York wins, the Knicks strengthen their grip on a top-four finish and sharpen the picture for the opening round. Either way, Friday’s result should narrow the field quickly as the East heads toward the Play-In Tournament and the start of the playoffs.
