Honestly, trying to keep track of a New York Knicks schedule feels like a full-time job. Between the random afternoon tip-offs and the games buried on streaming apps you forgot you subscribed to, it's a lot. If you're wondering when does the knicks play, the answer changes by the hour depending on whether they’re at the Garden or grinding out a road trip in the West.
Right now, we are deep into the 2025-26 season. The vibes are... complicated. On one hand, the Knicks are sitting comfortably near the top of the Eastern Conference with a 25-16 record. On the other hand, they just dropped a tough one to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, 106-99. It was one of those "ugly" games where the ball just wouldn't go in the hoop during the fourth quarter.
The schedule isn't slowing down for anyone. If you're planning your week around Jalen Brunson’s crossover or Karl-Anthony Towns’ perimeter shooting, you’ve got to stay sharp on the calendar.
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Upcoming Games: The Immediate Schedule
The Knicks are in the middle of a home stand, which is great for the players' sleep schedules but stressful for your wallet if you’re trying to snag tickets. Here is exactly when the Knicks play over the next few weeks:
- Monday, Jan. 19 vs. Dallas Mavericks: This is a 5:00 PM ET tip-off at Madison Square Garden. Yeah, it’s an early one, so get those "out of office" replies ready.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21 vs. Brooklyn Nets: The battle for the borough starts at 7:30 PM ET. It’s at the Garden this time, so expect a loud one.
- Saturday, Jan. 24 @ Philadelphia 76ers: The team heads down I-95 for a 3:00 PM ET matinee.
- Tuesday, Jan. 27 vs. Sacramento Kings: Back home for a 7:30 PM ET start.
- Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ Toronto Raptors: A quick trip North for a 7:30 PM ET game.
- Friday, Jan. 30 vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Finishing the month at home, 7:30 PM ET.
February starts with a massive headline. On Sunday, Feb. 1, LeBron and the Lakers come to town for a 7:00 PM ET showdown. If you're looking for the cheapest tickets, that's probably not the game for you—prices are already hovering around $579 for the nosebleeds.
Where to Watch the Knicks in 2026
The "where" is almost as important as the "when" these days. Most local fans are still tethered to MSG Network, but the national TV reach has expanded significantly.
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For the Dallas game on Monday, you’re looking at NBC and Peacock. This is part of the new media deal where Sunday and Monday nights often feature high-profile matchups on the "big" networks. If you’re a cord-cutter, the Gotham Sports App is basically your only hope for the local broadcasts if you don't have cable.
Nationally, the Knicks are absolute darlings this year. They have roughly 40 games slated for national airwaves across ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. Specifically, that Philly game on the 24th is an ABC broadcast.
The Injury Factor: Who is Actually Playing?
You can know exactly when the game starts, but it doesn't matter if the stars are in street clothes. Right now, the Knicks are "banged up" would be an understatement.
Jalen Brunson missed the Suns game with a right ankle sprain. Josh Hart was out too, dealing with his own ankle soreness. When those two are out, the offense becomes a bit of a grind. Deuce McBride has been stepping up—he put up 23 against Phoenix—but he’s not Jalen.
Karl-Anthony Towns is healthy but having a bit of a "judgment" crisis with fouls. Coach Mike Brown (who took over the whistle this season) has been pretty vocal about the team needing to "lead with their chest" rather than reaching. If KAT picks up two quick fouls in the first five minutes of the Dallas game, that 5:00 PM start is going to feel very long.
Why the Atlantic Division Race Matters
Usually, we just care about the playoffs, but the seeding this year is a total dogfight. The Knicks are currently 1st in the Atlantic Division, barely ahead of the Boston Celtics. Every single one of these January games carries weight because the tiebreakers in April are decided by these mid-season grinds.
The defense has been middle-of-the-pack (ranked 18th), which isn't exactly what New Yorkers are used to. They are winning games because the offense is elite—3rd in the league in offensive rating. It's a "track meet" style of basketball that makes for great TV but keeps fans on edge.
Pro Tips for Attending at the Garden
If you’re actually going to one of these home games, here’s the reality. Doors usually open 60 minutes before tip-off. For the 5:00 PM game on Monday, that means 4:00 PM.
Traffic around Penn Station is a nightmare. Honestly, take the train. If you’re coming from Jersey or Long Island, you literally walk upstairs and you're there. If you try to drive, you'll spend more on parking than you did on your $200 ticket.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the morning shootaround reports: Especially for the Dallas game on Monday. Follow beat writers like Stefan Bondy or Kristian Winfield on social media to see if Brunson and Hart are warming up.
- Download the Gotham Sports App: If you’re in-market and don't have MSG on your cable package, do this before tip-off so you aren't scrambling with login issues while the game is starting.
- Sync your digital calendar: Most team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature. Use it. It accounts for the weird 12:30 PM or 5:00 PM starts that can easily sneak up on you.
- Monitor the secondary market: If you want to see the Lakers on Feb. 1, wait until about 2 hours before tip-off. Prices often dip as resellers try to offload seats they couldn't move for top dollar.