No Damian Lillard. No Jayson Tatum. And now, no Tyrese Haliburton.&nbsp;

The Eastern Conference is wide open, and the Knicks are in prime position to break through into the NBA Finals.&nbsp;

With the Bucks, Celtics and Pacers all losing superstars to torn Achilles tendons, the Knicks, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/20/sports/plucky-pacers-keep-raising-the-bar-for-knicks-coaching-search/">even without a coach</a> for the time being, and the Cavaliers are the early favorites to win the East.&nbsp;

The Knicks won’t have to deal next spring with Haliburton, the Pacers star guard who had a big role in sending them home each of the past two years. He <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/22/sports/tyrese-haliburton-crumbles-to-court-in-pacers-injury-nightmare-early-in-game-7-of-nba-finals/">tore his right Achilles tendon</a> in Indiana’s Game 7 loss to the Thunder, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday.&nbsp;

The Eastern Conference is wide open and the Knicks are among the early favorites to break through into the NBA Finals. {ai:summary}<p>The Eastern Conference landscape has shifted dramatically with the loss of key players due to injuries, including Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers, who suffered a torn Achilles. This opens the door for the Knicks, who, despite lacking a coach, are now positioned as early favorites to reach the NBA Finals.</p><p>With the Bucks and Celtics also missing their superstars, the Knicks and Cavaliers stand out as potential contenders in a wide-open conference. Haliburton's absence is particularly significant, as he has been instrumental in the Pacers' playoff runs against the Knicks in recent years. #sports</p>

The Knicks’ Eastern Conference journey has massively changed again

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