Early Takeaways from Knicks' 2023 NBA Playoff Performance

Relentless defense and timely offense have powered the New York Knicks to a 3-1 start in the 2023 NBA playoffs.

Secure just one more triumph, and the Knicks will be off to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2013.

Life is good in the Big Apple right now, though it's not quite perfect.

Here, we'll spotlight some of the good and not-so-good storylines defining this postseason run.

Josh Hart Is an Obvious Keeper

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks celebrate after Hart drew the foul in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Josh Hart only joined this group at the trade deadline, but his feel for the team might fool you into thinking he's a lifetime Knick.

Whatever New York needs, he's able to provide. Some nights, that's points and threes; on others, it's dimes, defense and rebounds. Energy is always part of the demand, too, and he has that in seemingly endless supply.

"What can you say about Josh Hart?" Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau raved after New York's Game 4 win. "Again, it's one tough play after the next. A big shot, big offensive rebound, great defense. The guy, he's just a winner."

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a hand-in-glove fit from the moment he arrived, and New York should want to keep this partnership going as long as possible.

Hart will become a free agent as soon as he makes the easy call to decline his $12.9 million player option for next season, per Spotrac, but the Knicks should have already seen enough to know they have to cover the cost of his next contract.

Julius Randle Isn't Right

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 21: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 21, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The most remarkable aspect of New York's strong start to this postseason has been Julius Randle's lack of impact.

The two-time All-Star has been less than a shadow of himself in this series. Through four games, he's averaging just 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. His shooting slash sits at a grotesque 32.3/25.8/64.3.

For context, his regular-season averages were 25.1 points, 10 rebounds and 4.1 assists with a 45.9/34.3/75.7 slash line. He didn't see the floor during the fourth quarter of Game 4.

Clearly, Randle isn't right, and it sounds like the left ankle injury that sidelined him down the stretch could be the primary culprit of these struggles.

"He's given us everything that he has," Thibodeau told reporters. "A lot of guys probably wouldn't even be playing."

The 28-year-old deserves come credit for trying to gut this out, but he's not helping the team playing like this. The Knicks have to hope they can find a way to get him healthy on the fly.

If they advance beyond this round, they'll need Randle at or very near his best to keep pushing forward.

They Could Be Scary If Offense Gets Back on Track

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Immanuel Quickley #5 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrate during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

During the regular season, New York had the Association's fourth-most efficient offense, per NBA.com. In the playoffs, though, the Knicks have fallen all the way to 14th (out of 16).

Obviously, Randle being off his game hasn't helped, but he isn't the only one struggling to find his form.

Immanuel Quickley is shooting just 34.8 percent from the field, and Quentin Grimes is all the way down at 18.2 percent. Collectively, the Knicks are a nightmarish 33-of-120 from three (27.5 percent). They have a two-game lead in this series, though, because their defense has been this postseason's best.

If New York finds a way to pair this stingy defense with the efficient offense it played all season, this team could really be in business.