With just two months until the start of the new NBA season, the league released the full schedule on Thursday afternoon, giving Knicks fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
Let’s take a closer look at all 82 games and see New York’s best matchups, toughest games and most important matches…
Top Matchups
Tuesday, October 22 vs. Boston Celtics
The Knicks vs. Celtics has become a staple matchup on the NBA’s opening night, and for good reason: These two teams always seem to put in impressive performances, and New York will look to get the edge right from the get-go with their new lineup, while Boston will look to defend their home court on ring night.
Friday, October 25 vs. Indiana Pacers
There’s no better way to heat up the Garden than for the Knicks to avenge their loss to the Pacers in the second round. Jalen Brunson will have more supporters around him this time around, but Indiana is by no means a weak team.
Tuesday, November 12th vs. the Philadelphia 76ers
New York will also open NBA Cup group play with their first glimpse of a new 76ers team with Paul George on the wing, and the other teams in the group are much weaker, and they will be even more powerful this year after the Knicks eliminated this Philadelphia team in the first round last year.
Wednesday, December 25 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama will be in town on Christmas Day after a mediocre debut at Madison Square Garden last season, and the Knicks will be hoping to once again spoil the unicorn’s attention and start the new year on a positive note.
Friday, January 10 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Not only will this be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s only trip to New York since leading the Western Conference last season, it also marks the return of Isaiah Hartenstein, who left the Knicks for Oklahoma City in free agency this summer.
The crowd is unlikely to jeer him because he’s getting twice what New York can offer him, but it will be a tense atmosphere that will result in a quality showdown.
Wednesday, January 29 vs. Denver Nuggets
Speaking of MVP candidates coming to New York, Nikola Jokic will be making his only appearance in the city later this month, looking to repeat the result after the Knicks dominated the Nuggets, who recently acquired OG Anunoby in a trade, on their last visit.
Saturday, February 1st vs. the Los Angeles Lakers
They may not be the toughest opponent the Knicks will face, but whenever LeBron James comes to town, the Garden is ready.
Tuesday, March 4 vs. the Golden State Warriors
Speaking of legends coming to town, Stephen Curry will return to the building where he became the all-time leader in three-pointers in early March.
Tuesday, March 25 vs. Dallas Mavericks
A surefire test against the reigning Western Conference champions would be a surefire test, and the Knicks will get that chance late in the season when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving make their lone visit to Madison Square Garden.
Key Dates
September 30th: Media Day
October 22nd: Opening Night
December 10-11: NBA Cup Quarterfinals
December 14: NBA Cup Semifinals
December 17: NBA Cup Championship
Feb. 6: NBA trade deadline
February 14-16: All-Star Weekend
April 19: NBA playoffs begin
New York Knicks guard OG Anunoby (8) picks up a loose ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of Game 4 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on April 28, 2024. Credit: Bill Streacher – USA TODAY Sports/© Bill Streacher – USA TODAY Sports
The easiest stretch
The Knicks have a four-game break in mid-November after an early road trip, and they should be able to easily win at home against the Chicago Bulls, Nets (twice) and Washington Wizards from the 13th to the 18th.
Heading into the holiday season, New York has a busy few weeks of softball starting with home games against Toronto and San Antonio, then traveling to face Orlando and Washington twice before returning home to face Utah on New Year’s Day.
After that, they face the Thunder, Bulls, Magic and then the Raptors again. Of those 11 games, their biggest threats are one against Oklahoma City and two against the Magic, and they should use those games to their advantage heading into a busy January home month followed by the All-Star break.
The toughest time
New York will be tested with a road-heavy opening schedule that includes matches against Western powers in late November. They’ll host the Suns on Nov. 20, followed by the Jazz, then face the Nuggets and Mavericks, all on the road.
That’s just a fraction of the rigors of a March stretch. They play 11 games from Feb. 28 to March 20, but only two of those will be at home — against Miami, two against Golden State, both Los Angeles teams, Memphis and Sacramento — leaving little room for error.
Playoff standings
If the Knicks are to remain in the mix for playoff seeding, they will have to fight to get ahead late in the season, and while the final 10 games this year are split evenly between home and away games, there are more championship contenders than championship favorites.
They’ll play on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, March 28. They’ll get some breathing room with a home game against Portland before playing Philadelphia at The Garden and on the road against Cleveland.
They’ll next face the Hawks, then the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and Boston, before finishing off with Detroit, Cleveland and Brooklyn.
