Knicks start a run of games at home with two winnable dates and one fierce rematch.
The Knicks kick off a long homestand with three games this week. Two winnable contests, one against a seriously depleted Magic team and the other against a middling Raptors squad, precede a rematch we circled on the calendar as soon as the buzzer sounded last Friday night.
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 7:30 pm EST: Knicks vs Orlando Magic
The New York Knicks host the Magic at MSG tonight at 7:30 PM ET. The Knicks, third in the Eastern Conference at 24-12, have won all three previous season games against the fourth-place Magic (21-16), who are hindered by key injuries to Paolo Banchero (OUT), the Wagner brothers (OUT), Jalen Suggs (GTD), Anthony Black (GTD), and Gary Harris (GTD). Injuries will put extra pressure on Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony to step up. We’ve been clamoring to see more relief from the second unit, and tonight provides a perfect opportunity to rest the starters for extended stretches. Big Jericho Sims game loading in 3, 2, 1. . . .
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 7:30 pm EST: Knicks vs Toronto Raptors
The Knicks have already defeated the Raptors twice (139-125 on December 23 and 113-108 on December 9) and will look to continue their winning streak on Wednesday. The struggling Raptors, currently with a season record of 8-27, will have Immanuel Quickley back in action. This game will be Quickley’s second as a visitor to the MSG Court he once called home. In his last appearance, he logged 12 points and 11 assists while netting a -25 rating. We sure do miss his sweet, sweet energy off the bench.
Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 7:30 pm EST: Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The Knicks are set to host the Thunder at MSG on Friday in what should be the game of the week. The Thunder, currently on a 15-game winning streak (they face the Cavs tonight), recently overcame a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat the Knicks 117-107 on January 3. That heartbreaker was defined by a playoff intensity, the Thunder’s depth (Aaron Wiggins turned into Steph Curry for about five minutes), and the Knicks lack of bench support. Expect the Garden to be rockin’ and the Knicks to be ready.
Go Knicks.