You've probably been refreshing your app or checking the guide because you want to know what time does the knicks game come on tonight, and honestly, the answer is a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for Friday night hoops at the Garden.
The New York Knicks are not playing tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026.
It's a weird gap in the schedule. Usually, Fridays are big for the NBA, but the Knicks are currently in the middle of a travel day after a tough West Coast battle. If you missed it, they just wrapped up a late-night game against the Golden State Warriors last night at Chase Center.
When do the Knicks play next?
Don't pack away the jersey just yet. While tonight is dark, the Knicks return to action tomorrow.
They're heading back home to Madison Square Garden to host the Phoenix Suns. That game is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
If you're looking for something to watch tonight instead, there's still plenty of basketball on the slate. The Brooklyn Nets are actually playing at home at Barclays Center against the Chicago Bulls at 7:30 p.m. ET. Also, ESPN is carrying a pretty massive Eastern Conference matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Quick Knicks Schedule Lookahead
- Saturday, Jan 17: vs. Phoenix Suns (7:30 p.m. ET) - MSG Network / NBA TV
- Monday, Jan 19: vs. Dallas Mavericks (5:00 p.m. ET) - NBC / Peacock / MSG
- Wednesday, Jan 21: vs. Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET) - MSG / NBA League Pass
Why isn't there a game tonight?
NBA scheduling is basically a giant puzzle of arena availability and player rest. Since the Knicks played a 10:00 p.m. ET game in San Francisco last night, flying back across the country and playing again tonight would be a "scheduled loss" in the eyes of most analysts. The league tries to avoid those cross-country back-to-backs whenever possible to keep stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns from burning out before the All-Star break.
Honestly, the team probably needs the rest. They've been dealing with a few nagging injuries. Brunson has been nursing a sore ankle, and the defensive intensity required to keep up with the Warriors' movement yesterday was clearly taxing.
Where to watch the next game
When the Knicks do hit the court tomorrow against Phoenix, you'll have a few ways to tune in.
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Local fans in the New York market can find the game on MSG Network. If you’ve cut the cord, the Gotham Sports App is the primary way to stream it locally. For those of you outside the New York area, the game is being picked up by NBA TV, which means it won't be on League Pass during the live broadcast—it'll be blacked out there and shown on the national feed instead.
Streaming Options for Knicks Games
- Fubo: Carries MSG and national channels like NBA TV.
- YouTube TV: Good for the national games on ESPN, ABC, and NBC, but notably missing MSG.
- DirectV Stream: One of the few that still offers the regional sports networks (RSN) like MSG for local fans.
The 2025-26 season has introduced some new broadcast partners, including more games on Amazon Prime Video and NBC/Peacock, so it’s always smart to double-check the specific provider on game day.
Actionable Next Steps
Since there isn't a game tonight, use this time to get your streaming setup ready for the big weekend matchup against Kevin Durant and the Suns.
- Check your local listings: Confirm you have access to MSG Network or NBA TV before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
- Update your apps: If you use the Gotham Sports App or Fubo, make sure you're logged in and the app is updated to avoid that "last-minute password reset" panic right at tip-off.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep an eye on the official NBA injury list tomorrow afternoon to see if Jalen Brunson is cleared to play against Phoenix.
The Knicks currently sit near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, so every home game at the Garden right now has a playoff-like atmosphere. Enjoy the night off, watch the Sixers/Cavs game on ESPN if you need a hoops fix, and get ready for Saturday night in New York.