標籤: Knicks

The Denver Nuggets were looking to be championship contenders coming into the season, but injuries have kept them from finding their best basketball so far this season. On Friday night, it looked like Denver was headed for another big loss when Jamal Murray left the Knicks early with an ankle injury.

Murray did not return to the game after being subbed off in the second quarter as the game slipped away in the second half, leading many fans to believe that Murray could be out for some time. However, fortunately this is not the case. According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Murray has been listed as day-to-day due to injury and could play in Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Murray would be officially listed as questionable for that game and his status would be cleared before the game.

The Nuggets have suffered one injury after another this season. Nikola Jokic missed a long period of time due to a hyperextended knee, and Cam Johnson missed a long period of time due to the same injury before injuring his ankle. Peyton Watson is currently out with a hamstring injury. Christian Braun could not play for several months due to an ankle injury. Jonas Valanciunas missed time with a calf strain. Aaron Gordon suffered two separate hamstring injuries before returning in a limited capacity Friday night.

Due to all of the team’s injuries this season, the Nuggets could not afford to lose Murray for any extended period. The first-time All-Star has been one of the best guards in the Western Conference this season, averaging 25.5 points and 7.2 assists per game. When Jokic was sidelined, Murray led the Nuggets on the offensive end and is a big reason why they are still in the top six in the West.

Even if Murray is out Monday night, he should be back by the end of the week as the Nuggets try to improve their seeding in the West ahead of a very competitive postseason. For the Nuggets to get back to the NBA Finals, they will need a healthy Murray to be a part of it, so this update is a big dose of good news in the Mile High City.

On Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers will take the field at home for a marquee matchup against the rolling New York Knicks. LeBron James’ injury report for this game is currently listed as questionable due to both a left elbow injury and left foot arthritis. Here’s everything we know about James’ injury status and how he plays on Sunday vs. the Knicks.

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LeBron James’ state of play vs. the Knicks

Given his questionable designation on the injury report, there is currently some doubt as to whether LeBron James will be able to play against New York on Sunday. James missed the Lakers’ last game, Friday night, against the Indiana Pacers, for the same reason and has already missed being eligible for the All-NBA team this year.

Along with James, the injury report for the Lakers also includes wing Maxi Kleber, who is questionable with a lumbar back strain, as well as his son Bronny James, who is out due to dealing with the G-League.

For the Knicks, Landry Shamet is questionable for this game due to a cervical sprain.

The Knicks are coming into this game flying high, having defeated the Denver Nuggets the last time they took the floor this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have been picking up some wins against lesser competition in recent weeks, but lost to the same Nuggets team the night before the Knicks destroyed them, which is certainly not a good look as both teams are now set to match up.

Luka Doncic continues to put up monster stat lines on a nightly basis for the Lakers, but the fit between him, Austin Reaves and LeBron James has been put into further question now that all three players are relatively healthy.

Still, Lakers fans will expect James to be on the court on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into Sunday’s clash with the New York Knicks having won four of their last five games. They are in the middle of a home stand that will carry them through the upcoming week. And it’s possible they have reinforcements on the way. LeBron James was upgraded on the Lakers’ injury report after missing the team’s win against the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

LeBron James was officially listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report for the team’s game against the Knicks. While he has been dealing with foot problems all season, James suffered a hard fall last Thursday against the Nuggets and the team reported it as a left elbow injury.

In addition to James, backup center Maxi Kleber was also upgraded to questionable. Kleber also missed the Pacers game due to a back strain. Starting center Deandre Ayton, who was sidelined for the Pacers’ win with a knee injury, no longer appeared on the injury report.

While the Lakers have managed to pick up some wins in recent games, they have struggled against teams with winning records. The Knicks pose such a challenge as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Having James potentially back in the lineup is a big boost.

He is in his unprecedented 23rd season in the NBA, and was selected for his 22nd consecutive All-Star appearance. He recently passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most field goals made in NBA history. However, one thing that will elude James this season is his continued pursuit of making the All-NBA team. He would fall short of the NBA’s new minimum of 65 games played to be eligible for postseason honors.

James has appeared in 44 games, a little over 33 minutes per game. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the 3-point line and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Jamal Murray suffered a foot injury during Friday night’s clash between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks.

Murray suffered the injury in the final minutes of the first half. He was on defense when he contested a shot from New York’s OG Anunoby. However, he injured his left leg as he needed assistance to get to the locker room. According to reporter Rachel Strand, Denver provided an update on whether Murray could return.

“A sight that will make you sick to your stomach. Jamal Murray needs help off the court with a foot injury. He’s heading to the locker room immediately. #MileHighBasketball,” Strand wrote.

“Jamal Murray is questionable to return with a left ankle sprain.”

A sight that will make you feel sick to your stomach. Jamal Murray needs help getting off the court with a foot injury. He is immediately heading to the locker room. #milehighbasketball pic.twitter.com/1Ge61r2ecu

– Rachel Strand (@MileHighRachel) 7 March 2026

How the Nuggets played against the Knicks amid Jamal Murray’s injury

The Nuggets collapsed without the services of Jamal Murray due to injury, and suffered a crushing 142–103 loss to the Knicks at home.

Things were close between the two teams as Denver led 29–27 after the first quarter. However, their defense suffered without Murray as they lost 115–74 over the final three periods of regulation.

Four players, including Murray, scored in double figures for Denver in the loss. Before the injury, he finished with 12 points and three assists on 5 of 10 shooting from the field. Nikola Jokic led the team with 38 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Darron Holmes II was next with 11 points while Cameron Johnson added 10 points and five assists.

Denver fell to a 39–25 record on the season and finished fifth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns while trailing the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nuggets will look to bounce back in their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder as tip-off takes place on March 9 at 7:30 PM ET.

The Denver Nuggets have faced injury problems throughout the 2025-26 season. But all teams will know that what matters most is having a clean bill of health at the end of the season. And on Friday night, they’re one step closer to being fully healthy as a unit.

With a clash against the New York Knicks on the horizon, the Nuggets will welcome back Aaron Gordon from a 17-game absence while he dealt with a hamstring injury, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reports.

Gordon has been dealing with hamstring issues since the 2025 NBA Playoffs, when he suffered a Grade 2 strain, which put his status in doubt for Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. The Nuggets forwards played through it, but Denver lost emphatically.

Those problems have carried over to this season. In addition to his recent 17-game absence, he also missed the first 19 straight games of the season from mid-November to early January. Overall, Gordon has only played in 23 of the Nuggets’ 63 games this season.

Denver will be very cautious with its prized forward, as it’s hard to imagine reaching the playoffs without his services. How important he is to this team.

Nuggets will assess Aaron Gordon’s status in Knicks clash

Gordon’s workload will certainly be monitored on Friday night, and the Nuggets are unlikely to push him into the deep end, especially with over a month left in the regular season.

The Nuggets will be without Peyton Watson and Cam Johnson for their showdown against the Knicks, and those two players will be expected to contribute big times in their final playoff appearance. Denver has to be careful with these things, especially when soft-tissue injuries tend to recur.

New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets will face each other on Friday night. However, Josh Hart is struggling with injury concerns. Is Hart playing tonight vs the Nuggets?

Hart has played an impressive role with the Knicks. He averaged 11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per outing in 51 games played. The Knicks are ready to make another run in the postseason, but they will need Hart to reach his full potential in the playoffs.

As far as Friday’s matchup is concerned, Hart’s status is currently in question. Here’s everything we know about his injury status for tonight’s game.

Josh Hart’s injury status vs. Nuggets

Hart is currently listed as questionable to play against the Nuggets.

Friday’s game should be competitive. The Knicks head into play with a 40-23 record, good for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. The 39-24 Nuggets are in fifth place in the Western Conference.

Keeping Hart on the floor will go a long way in helping the Knicks defeat the Nuggets on the road. However, when it comes to the question of whether Josh Hart is playing tonight, the answer is probably.

knicks injury report

The Knicks have three players listed on the injury report for Friday night’s game.

• Josh Hart (lower back; lower back injury): doubtful
• Miles McBride (pelvis; core muscle surgery): out
• Dillon Jones (G League Two-Way): Out

The Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday with a final score of 120-113. Friday’s game represents the second consecutive game, so Denver’s injury report has not yet been announced.

It’s hard to maintain the “element of surprise” after enduring a tough 82-game season. At a certain point, opponents know what to expect and how to counter different parts of the team’s plan. While the rest of the NBA should be aware of the many ways the New York Knicks’ offense can thrive, there may be one asset that can confuse teams going forward.

All-Star Jalen Brunson scored just 16 points while shooting 5 of 18 from the field and 2 of 5 from distance in a 103-100 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Despite these modest numbers, the Villanova product was able to impact the game with his passing. He collected 15 assists on the night, and showed another way he can lead the attack.

Brunson’s status as a leading scorer will be as important as ever, but his ability to facilitate and set up teammates can turn lackluster nights into serviceable nights, and potentially make elite evenings part of a story that ends with a parade.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown told reporters after the game, “Good basketball game. I thought our guys, they could have turned it around at any time.” “We were down by double digits. I liked our competitive spirit.”

Jalen Brunson’s identity focuses on scoring

Must be stated clearly. The Knicks are at their best when Brunson is one of the team’s leading scorers. In 58 games this season, Brunson is averaging 26.5 points while shooting nearly 47 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from distance.

Brunson can usually score with ease from all three levels, but he struggled to do so against the Thunder. They scored only two points in the first half and only three points in the last quarter. One of the guard’s key misses occurred late in the fourth quarter when he missed a three-pointer that would have tied the contest.

“I feel like I missed a lot of shots that I would normally take,” Brunson told Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.

If the 29-year-old had put more points on the board when making key passes, it’s possible the Knicks would have defeated Oklahoma City and re-established their identity as an NBA Finals contender.

Jalen Brunson’s demise could help Knicks win ugly games

Any team worth its salt would love to be firing on all cylinders every night, but playoff basketball often demands that teams find different ways to win when things don’t go according to plan.

If Brunson were to experience a poor shooting night during the tournament, his passing could be a skill that could allow the Knicks to steal a game they might otherwise lose. Teammates like OG Anunoby, Landry Shamet, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns can score in a variety of ways. Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted the Knicks’ overall firepower after running away from Madison Square Garden with a win.

“Good team. Obviously, a good attack, then they also have really good defenders, so they’re well balanced,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the contest. “They’re obviously on top of the East for a reason. They’re a good team, a playoff team. Really good roster.”

Even if Brunson stumbles, others could pick up the slack and take advantage of the New Jersey native’s demise. While this isn’t the ideal path to victory for New York, it does provide another reason to be optimistic about a team whose results have been shaky for much of the campaign.

There’s something about the bright lights of Madison Square Garden that brings out the best in the NBA’s rising stars. For Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, Wednesday night was the perfect stage to show why he is a fundamental part of a championship contender.

In a back-and-forth battle leading up to the final possession, the Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 103–100. Holmgren was the focal point of the attack, finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds. He made 11 of 19 shots from the field and hit six crucial three-pointers, silencing the boisterous New York crowd every time the Knicks threatened to pull away.

After the game, Holmgren did not hide his excitement about performing in the world’s most famous arena. “Playing in the Garden is any hooper’s dream,” Holmgren said. “The juices were flowing, and we were ready to play”. His defensive presence was equally impressive, as he stopped multiple drives by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in the final minutes.

“Playing in the garden is any hooper’s dream…the juices were flowing, and we were ready to play.”

—Chet Holmgren knows how to put on a show at MSG 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/pXblGFSTMD

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 5 March 2026

The win didn’t come easy, especially with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein suffering minor injuries earlier in the evening in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and eight assists, providing the steady leadership needed to earn the win on a tough road. For the Knicks, Anthony-Towns led the way with 17 points, but late turnovers proved costly as the Thunder’s defense crumbled.

The Thunder remain on top of the Western Conference standings, and games like this prove they have the mental toughness to win in adverse environments. As Holmgren continues to develop into a two-way force, the rest of the league is beginning to realize that “Hooper’s dream” is becoming a reality in OKC.

The Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night looking to prove why they have the best record in the NBA, but they left with more questions than answers regarding their health. In a physical performance against the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City lost two of its most important defensive anchors as Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein were both forced to foul out early via Brett Siegel.

Caruso, a versatile defender known for his tireless perimeter defense, suffered a left hip injury during the heat of the action. The team immediately ruled him out for the remainder of the night, a major blow to a unit that relies on his ability to disrupt opposing stars like Jalen Brunson. Shortly after, the frontcourt suffered a blow of its own. Hartenstein, who was returning to his former home in New York, was sidelined with left calf tightness.

There is no such thing as a rivalry between the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks, as the New York Knicks always beats the former. On Tuesday night, the Knicks used an excellent two-way effort late in the game to complete a season series sweep of the Raptors and win 111-95 on the road.

This is the Raptors’ fourth loss of the season to the Knicks, and none of those losses have been particularly close. New York has outscored Toronto by a total of 81 points in those games this season, and it’s become clear that the Raptors are not in the same league as the Knicks.

The Raptors’ latest loss is yet another loss against a team with a top-10 record, and it’s such a troubling sign and a foreboding sign that they won’t be able to do much in the postseason. Nonetheless, head coach Darko Rajakovic believes his team can get it right, although he admitted they could not do so on Tuesday.

“When the time is right, it wasn’t tonight,” Rajakovic said in response to a question from Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. When will they be able to get another win against a top-10 team?

Raptors are showing signs of being exhibitionists

The Raptors looked good early in the season, and it helped that they were dominant against the current number one team in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers. But their troubles against good teams remain and to become the best they have to beat the best. And Toronto has failed on this front.

The good news is that the Raptors are still fifth in the Eastern Conference and if the season ended today, they would face the Cavs in the first round of the playoffs – a team they have dispatched of three times already this season.

As the NBA world reacts to the New York Knicks breaking Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs’ 11-game winning streak, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst sees it as a warning to fans. Wembanyama and the Spurs’ crushing 114–89 loss to the Knicks ended a long winning streak, but also put San Antonio’s weaknesses on full display.

Spurs never recovered from 19-0 Knicks run in the second quarterThat reminded some of his inexperience, Windhorst said, according to ESPN’s First Take.

Windhorst said, “I’m not going to overreact to the afternoon’s game at the Garden. If you’re making the case why Spurs won’t win, you saw it yesterday.” “When the Knicks threw some punches at them they couldn’t handle it. It was a 19-0 run in the second quarter. You’re not going to win a playoff game when you give up a 19-0 run on the road. So, you see things like that.”

The Spurs also finished 9-for-34 from beyond the 3-point arc (26.5%) against the Knicks.

“They are still, as a team, inconsistent on 3-point shots. When they get to the playoffs, opposing teams, when they’ve got a fully fleshed out game plan for a playoff series, they’re going to force them to take threes. And they want Victor Wembanyama to take threes. They’re still a bottom 10 3-point percentage shooting team. Whether you like it or not, the NBA is still 3-point. League.”

“If you’re making the case why Spurs won’t win, you saw it yesterday.”

—@WindhorstESPN On the concerns over the Spurs’ NBA title hopes 👀 pic.twitter.com/EDFohIBK2g

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 2 March 2026

Brian Windhorst says 3-point shooting and experience are glaring weaknesses for the Spurs.

Victor Wembanyama’s confession after Spurs defeat

Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama took responsibility for Sunday’s 25-point loss to the Knicks. While admitting that the Knicks’ defense prevented them from finding their offensive rhythm, Wembanyama also said that he wished he would have passed the ball more, as the Spurs were in a heavy deficit.

“I think they had some physicality, but not what we’ve seen… For some reason, we were a little hesitant… I was especially hesitant on threes… I was holding the ball too much… We gave them a breather. We should have been better, especially in the first quarter. That was the game.”

Wembanyama finished with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting, 13 rebounds and four blocks in Sunday’s loss.

Victor Wembanyama and Spurs have been performing highly this season. They are firmly in the Western Conference playoff race, sitting at the second seed in the conference, and within striking distance of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed. But the Knicks were able to figure out how to cool down a hot San Antonio squad.

It appears that teams will choose to get physical with Wembanyama to take him off his game, as the Pistons attempted to show in their loss last Monday. This time, it appeared that the Knicks were able to crack the winning formula with their aggressive defensive coverage and Wembanyama recognized this in postgame comments received by Hector Ledesma.

“I think they had some physicality, but not what we’ve seen… For some reason, we were a little hesitant… I was especially hesitant on threes… I was holding the ball too much… We gave them a breather. We should have been better, especially in the first quarter. That was the game.”

Wembanyama made it clear that the Knicks gameplan impressed him and it was something he was aware of.

“They’re a good basketball team, but they’re not like the worst team. They’re not an ugly team to watch, but they’ve made our game ugly.”

Still, Vembanyama doesn’t think the team is going backward.

“I don’t see any downside. I think it’s good for us to see such adversity. We want to play the best teams. This is a top-seeded playoff team – experience. They know what it’s like, and they gave us a good performance today.”

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have finally calmed down. After a spectacular 11-game winning streak, the Spurs faltered on Sunday as their run came to a halt with a 114-89 loss to Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Losses have become rare for the Spurs in Wembanyama’s third season in the NBA, but Sunday’s setback wasn’t an eye-opener for San Antonio’s franchise player. However, he was still surprised by how it went down.

“They’re a good basketball team, but they’re not the worst team,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game.

“They’re not an ugly team to look at, but they’ve made our game ugly.”

The Spurs shot poorly against New York, making only 42 percent of their attempts from the floor. New York was also not efficient on their shots, as the Knicks shot only 44 percent from the field, but they had 20 more attempts than San Antonio, committing 22 turnovers compared to only 14 by New York.

Wembanyama finished the Knicks game with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting, 13 boards and four blocks in 34 minutes, but he had seven turnovers, making it difficult for San Antonio to overcome New York.

Meanwhile, the Knicks got 25 points from Bridges and 24 points from Jalen Brunson.

Despite the loss, the Spurs are still in great shape and will carry a 43-17 record heading into the final stop of their five-game road trip on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

A lot of things didn’t go right for the Milwaukee Bucks when they welcomed the New York Knicks to town for an Eastern Conference showdown on Friday night.

Entering the half with a 20-point deficit, the Bucks were able to play the Knicks even in the third quarter, but ultimately lost without much of a fight in the final frame of the game, scoring only 15 points in a 127–98 loss.

Discussing how the game got away from their Bucks on their home court, Doc Rivers laid it out clearly for those in attendance and beyond: Milwaukee just got beat By New York.

“Yeah, yeah, I mean some guys on their team gave us shots, and we’re OK with that,” Rivers said. “You know, and we should have still gone out and defended it, but I thought they got everything they wanted and forgot the 3s. Like when they wanted to drive, they drove the ball, when they wanted to shoot, they shot the ball. And I didn’t think we met their physicality and their intensity. And you know, that’s a good lesson for them. He knew he knew how the game was going to be played, And we couldn’t capitalize on that moment.”

Now, heading into the game, few expected the Bucks to pull out a win, as they still don’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo and have a 26-32 record with a few more weeks left in the season. Still, after some strong performances following the arrivals of Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng, it’s clear that Rivers is ready to break down game film and move on.

“I don’t think we could meet their physicality and intensity…we couldn’t meet that moment,” Doc Rivers says after tough loss at home to the Knicks #nba #after the game #be afraid of dear pic.twitter.com/bDf3gS4EPK

– ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) 28 February 2026

The New York Knicks have been playing well for quite some time and Karl-Anthony Towns deserves some of the credit. Aside from the team’s recent loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Towns has figured out how to impact games. Despite shooting the ball less, he is creating significant efforts on the glass and impacting the game where he can. But the Knicks will need more from Towns than the 14 points he made on four shots in a 109-94 loss to the Cavaliers. And clearly, they will need to average more than 20 points per game this season if they hope to win the championship.

On the court, it looks like Towns has lost his sense of scoring. Towns has spoken a lot about Mike Brown’s lack of understanding of his role in the offense this season. And his four-shot attempt performance in the team’s loss to Cleveland shows he still hasn’t figured it out.

Towns is so efficient as a scorer that he only gets four shot attempts, while averaging 24.4 points per game last season. And the team probably needs even more from him if it hopes to win a championship. Instead, they are decreasing.

To take the next step, the Knicks need Karl-Anthony Towns to showcase

To put it bluntly, the Knicks need Towns to do what he is known for, scoring the basketball. He’s a great rebounder. If he somehow develops into an elite passer and defender, that would be great too. But New York needs Towns’ scoring.

The Knicks rank ninth in points per game this season (117.1). They were seventh last season (115.8). So, while they score slightly more, they have not been able to maintain the widespread increase in scoring per game across the league, as they have dropped two places. Still, that kind of relative decline isn’t the end of the world. In fact, the Knicks offense is still quite impressive when it’s working.

The same can be said about towns. He has had his share of success. But he is scoring the second lowest points (20.0) of his career, which is exactly the wrong direction for him. The Knicks hoped that Towns, Brunson and Brown would complement each other. Instead, Towns has become more inconsistent than ever.

It’s important to remember that Towns received less criticism last season. He scored 24.4 points per game with 22 30-point outings—and the Knicks still failed to reach the Finals.

Mike Brown needs to do more for Karl-Anthony Towns

Unfortunately, Brown’s system appears to limit Towns’ ability to reach his potential. Cities are rarely the focal point in this season. He is averaging about 6.1 dunk or layup attempts per game this season. Comparatively, he averaged 7.85 dunks or layup attempts per game. He’s also running one less isolation play per game.

Overall, Towns is averaging three fewer shot attempts per game (16.9 in 2024-25 to 13.9 in 2025-26). And the shot attempts he’s not getting seem to be the ones he’d prefer to take. Towns’ lack of understanding of his role means he doesn’t know when and where his efforts might go. And this is a problem.

Additionally, while Towns may not have a large scoring burden on him, there is significant—and some might say too much—pressure on Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and others. And while Brunson’s impact has been consistently strong, Anunoby isn’t quite the caliber scorer that Towns is. And asking him to be the second option on a Championship team is probably too much. The same can be said about Mikal Bridges.

Karl-Anthony Towns’ salary dictates he should work more

Another problem with Towns scoring less points is his salary. Towns is objectively a top-tier offensive talent. And that’s how he’s being paid.

Towns is making $53 million this season, with $57 million guaranteed next year and a player option for $61 million in 2027-28 (which he will likely decline). With the Knicks’ 2025-26 salary set at $211 million, Towns represents a little more than 25% of it. This is too much for a player who is not being showcased or utilized properly.

Paying town like a franchise player restricts the team’s ability to maximize the chances around him. But Towns is clearly talented enough to command a star-level salary.

So, the Knicks’ answer is obvious; If New York wants to see how far they can go, they’ll have to get Towns more involved. Give him a chance to succeed (or fail). But by limiting him, it limits the team’s potential and puts a ceiling on what they can achieve this season and beyond.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got a big win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, 109-94. Unfortunately, it appears that James Harden was a casualty in that win, as he has been confirmed injured.

Harden, who is 36, is said to be suffering from a thumb fracture. The organization announced his injury. He is considered questionable for Wednesday’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks, and an update on his status will be provided before the start of that game.

“Cavaliers guard James Harden injured his right thumb in last night’s 109-94 win over New York,” the franchise said. “A post-game examination by the Cavaliers’ medical staff, followed by X-rays taken today, confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. Harden will be treated and continued to be evaluated and will be listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. An update on his status will be provided as appropriate.”

Despite the injury, the 11-time All-Star still played 32 minutes in the Cavaliers’ win over the Knicks. He finished the contest with 20 points, two rebounds and four assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the three-point line. Despite suffering a thumb injury, he was one of the main contributors in the competition.

Although he is dealing with a fracture, it is a good sign that Harden is still considered questionable to play in Wednesday’s game against the Bucks. His situation suggests that, even if he misses time, it could be a short stint. Either way, the Cavaliers will monitor the injury closely. Especially considering that James Harden was brought in to help make the club more competitive in the playoffs.

Rob Dillingham shocked the home crowd with his mistake on the court in the Chicago Bulls’ matchup against the New York Knicks on Sunday night.

Dillingham is halfway through the second season of his NBA career. He initially represented the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Bulls midway through the 2025–26 campaign.

The youngster has earned more playing time, giving him the opportunity to showcase his skills in Chicago’s rotation. However, their inexperience began to show at times, which was certainly the case in the final minutes of the third quarter. He went on a fast break while attempting a dunk, but was surprisingly unsuccessful.

Rob Dillingham oh no 😭

Dillingham hits a wide-open dunk on a fast break.pic.twitter.com/t8aT4rnMh9

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 23 February 2026

Rob Dillingham, how the Bulls played against the Knicks

It was a brutal miss for Rob Dillingham during the game. Additionally, the Bulls faltered in a close loss to the Knicks at home, resulting in the continuation of their losing streak.

Shot selection, ball movement and turnovers made the difference in this matchup. The Knicks won all three categories after making 45% of their total shots, dishing out 27 assists and limiting their turnovers to just 13. It wasn’t the same for the Bulls as they only converted 40% of their total chances, dished out 24 assists and turned the ball over 17 times.

Five players scored in double figures for Chicago in the loss. Matas Buzelis led the way with a stat line of 15 points and four rebounds. He shot 4 of 12 from the field, including 3 of 9 from beyond the arc and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Jalen Smith came next with 12 points and five rebounds, Isaac Okoro had 12 points and six rebounds, Guerschon Yabusele put up 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Patrick Williams added 10 points and eight assists.

Chicago fell to a 24–34 record on the season and finished 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets while trailing the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets.

After nine consecutive losses, the Bulls will look to end this streak in their next match. They will be at home when they host the Hornets on February 24th at 8 PM ET.

The Chicago Bulls’ losing woes continued as they lost 105-99 to the New York Knicks on Sunday. This is their ninth consecutive defeat and they are now leading 24-34. Still, they had Isaac Okoro do as he has been doing lately.

Even in the loss, Okoro finished the game with 12 points and six rebounds. In the process, Okoro equaled his career achievementWith his sixth consecutive 10+ point game, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. This streak began on February 5 against the Toronto Raptors, when he scored 10 points in a 123–107 loss.

Additionally, Okoro’s latest series of 10+ points is dated May 2021. From 5/7 to 5/16, he scored in double figures. So far, Okoro has played 48 games and is averaging 9.1 points per game. Matas Buzelis led the way for Chicago with 15 points. Jalen Smith tied Okoro with 12 points. Guershon Yabusele came in with 11 points and Patrick Williams finished with 10 points.

On Saturday, he finished with 15 points in a 126–110 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Earlier, Okoro scored 16 points in a 110–101 loss to the Raptors, the Bulls’ first game since the All-Star break.

In 2025, Bulls acquired okoro From the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Lonzo Ball. A big reason for bringing in Okoro was to strengthen Chicago’s defense, as he is known for his irritating and disruptive presence in the passing lanes.

The loss marked the first time in seven years that the Bulls have lost nine consecutive games. On Tuesday they will play at home against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Chicago Bulls will host the New York Knicks on Sunday evening. Bulls guard Anfernee Simmons has had his injury report dismissed. Simmons left the Bulls’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday and did not return. Here’s everything we know about Anfernee Simmons’ injury and his playing status against the Knicks.

Afro Simmons injury status vs. Knicks

With Simmons out due to injury, the Bulls will be shorthanded against the Knicks. He suffered a wrist injury during the first half of the Bulls’ loss to the Pistons and was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Bulls are coming into their game against the Knicks looking to snap an eight-game losing streak.

As things stand, the Bulls are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings and two games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the No. 10 seed and the final play-in spot.

Simmons was one of the Bulls’ trade deadline moves, acquiring him with the Boston Celtics in a deal that sent longtime Bull Nikola Vucevic to Boston. The Celtics also sent a second-round pick to the Bulls as part of the deal.

Since the trade, Simmons has appeared in six games for the Bulls, including five starts in just over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists with splits of 43.8 percent shooting from the field, 32 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 100 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

oxen injury report

-Jack Collins out (sprained right toe)
-Noah Asengue out (left shoulder surgery)
-Jaden Ivy out (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)
-Nick Richards doubtful (right foot soreness)
-Anfernee Simmons out (left wrist sprain)
-Patrick Williams probable (injured left hand)

knicks injury report

-Pacom Dadiet out (G League assignment)
-Miles McBride out (pelvic core muscle surgery)
-Kevin McCullers Jr. out (G League two-way)
-Mitchell Robinson out (left ankle injury management)

The New York Knicks made a strong comeback against the Houston Rockets and won. He displayed serious composure, which was in question in the previous defeat. Additionally, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson both played incredibly well – something that could have been expected on a regular basis early in the season, and yet something that hasn’t been seen nearly enough. But while the win should inspire optimism, the reason for the pause is the Detroit Pistons.

New York played a great fourth quarter in its recent win against Houston. They finished the game on a 33–13 run, which included Brunson’s 18 points. The Knicks also held the Rockets to 28% shooting in the final 10 minutes of the game. And their defense, led by new addition Jose Alvarado, forced several changes.

The Knicks have played well against more top teams than the Rockets. The Knicks have performed incredibly well against most of the league’s top competition this season. They are now 1-0 against Houston, 2-1 against Boston Celtics, 2-0 against Cleveland Cavaliers, 1-0 against Denver Nuggets, 1-0 against Los Angeles Lakers and 1-1 against San Antonio Spurs.

However, they have struggled mightily against the Pistons, a team they will likely see in the 2026 playoffs. In fact, New York is 0-3 against Detroit on the season, and their next matchup is scheduled for (much) later in the season.

Are the Pistons too tough for the Knicks?

The Pistons present completely different problems for the Knicks than other elite teams. First of all, there is their physicality Very To struggle. Detroit boasts the NBA’s second-best defensive rating (108.3). His size is challenging on the downside. Jalen Duren is eighth in the league in rebounds (10.5 per game), and Isaiah Stewart is sixth in blocks (1.2 per game). Ironically, neither Duren nor Stewart were available for the Pistons’ most recent win over the Knicks on February 19.

Pistons also push the limits of materiality and efficiency. According to Statmuse, he leads the league in fouls per game (22.3). And why not? When your team is built like Detroit, the only disadvantage in fouling is a penalty. Agreed, this is not ideal. But the cumulative effect of fouling results in a reputation bump that forces teams to think twice about how they attack open lanes.

The piston perimeter protectors are also exceptionally strong. Cade Cunningham and Auser Thomson are two of the best at blocking opposing perimeter players. And both are physical enough to compete with bigger wings in the post and around the basket.

It became clear that New York couldn’t match Detroit’s toughness while remaining focused and locked down.

Can the Knicks offense be consistent enough to take down the Detroit Pistons?

If the Pistons are a more physical team, which they are, the Knicks should emphasize their strength, finesse, and finesse. This is how New York defeated Detroit in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Brunson took the lead. And for all the Pistons’ defensive abilities, they had no answer for Brunson when he was in his own zone and protecting the basketball.

In the 2025 playoffs, Brunson averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists per game. His footwork and finesse were on full display, including a series-clinching shot. If the Knicks are to be successful against the Pistons, Brunson will need to get back to that kind of game.

In the 2025–26 regular season, Brunson scored the ball very well, averaging 29.7 points per game. But he also turned the ball over. Very. Brunson averaged five turnovers per game in their regular season series against the Pistons, compared to just 2.6 turnovers per game in last season’s first round – and 2.3 turnovers per game the entire season (so far) this season.

Knicks supporters also need to do more. Towns and OG Anunoby missed the second of three games with the Pistons this season. But when he played he did not perform well enough. Towns averaged 13.5 points over the two games, and Anunoby averaged 6.5 points per game.

Granted, there are more failings to highlight – like how the Knicks crushed on the glass – but the simple fact is that when their second- and third-leading scorers add up to an average of 20 points per game, the Knicks are unlikely to perform well.

Fortunately, the Knicks have time to digest their recent loss against the Pistons and lick their wounds. New York has 25 games remaining before the playoffs, and their first-round rematch with Detroit is unlikely. That matchup will likely come later in the playoffs. So, the Knicks have some time to figure out how to approach the Pistons. But one thing is for sure, he has his work cut out for him.

The Houston Rockets are suffering a significant identity crisis after several disappointing losses to teams they were expected to beat. This struggle has sparked debate regarding the team’s floor leadership, with many fans and analysts calling for Reed Shepard to be included in the starting lineup. Supporters of the move argue that the Rockets lack a traditional floor general to organize their attack in high-pressure moments. However, head coach Ime Udoka has been steadfast in his refusal to bench Amen Thompson in favor of the newcomer.

Udoka made it clear that no such seismic change is on the horizon, primarily because the team prioritizes a strong defensive identity. While Thompson is considered one of the league’s premier defenders, Shepard has yet to make significant progress on that end of the floor to justify a starting role in Udoka’s system.

This lack of late-game organization was on full display during a narrow 108–106 loss against the Knicks, where even Kevin Durant’s 30-point effort was not enough to secure the win. This collapse has highlighted the same inconsistencies that have plagued Houston all year.

After the game, Udoka expressed his disappointment with the backcourt’s execution. According to Kelly Echo on X, the head coach noted that the ball stopped moving because the team leaned too heavily on the separation play.

Udoka commented that it was a familiar story of losing games this way, saying, “The ball stopped moving, started falling apart too much. Same story – we’ve lost a lot of games like this. I’m telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; this is not the time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The pressure on these young guards has increased even more after the Rockets decided to stand down at the trade deadline. Despite the glaring gaps in perimeter shooting, the front office has essentially tasked its current roster with fixing these issues internally. It focuses extensively on Reed Shepard, who is currently going through a difficult period of shooting.

If the Rockets really want to stop the freestyling that Udoka has criticized, they will have to strike a balance between developing their young shooters and making sure they are on the floor when the game is on the line.

Although he’s still one of the best pure scorers in the game today, Kevin Durant understands he doesn’t have much time left in the NBA. He would soon become a great player who would be forced to experience the game away from the hardwood. When a player enters the final stages of his career, he gets better appreciation from those who came before him. The Houston Rockets superstar got a chance to chat with one such person ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the New York Knicks.

Durant hugs Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing inside Madison Square Garden. Ewing rose to stardom in those parts by spending four years at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in the 1980s before becoming head coach of the Hoyas in the late 2010s.

Kevin Durant is stamped in The Garden 🤝 pic.twitter.com/pASZROOGcI

– ESPN (@espn) 22 February 2026

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is no longer backing the New York Knicks to win the Eastern Conference, shifting his support to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During ESPN’s Inside the NBA broadcast on Friday night, Barkley announced he was no longer choosing New York over coming out of the East.

“I’m changing my choice Ernie. I told you all I thought the Knicks were coming from the East… the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming from the Eastern Conference,” Barkley said.

Cleveland has improved its position after trading with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland at this season’s deadline. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 118-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, improving to 36-21 on the season. Cleveland is now in third place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the second-seeded Boston Celtics.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Harden has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, five rebounds and one steal per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range in five contests in 31.8 minutes per game.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming out of the Eastern Conference,” – Charles Barkley 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/xF7XkMXzuG

– ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) 21 February 2026

Charles Barkley moves East pick as Cavaliers lead ahead of Knicks matchup

Harden’s presence coincides with increased production from center Jarrett Allen. Over that same five-game span, Allen has averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one block while shooting 76.3 percent from the field in 30 minutes per contest. For the season, the 27-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 62.7 percent in 45 games.

Meanwhile, New York has experienced a strong stretch of its own despite Barkley’s transfer. The Knicks went 10–3 from late January to early February, including an eight-game winning streak. However, they dropped to the fourth seed after a 126–111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, falling to 35–21 on the year.

The two Eastern Conference contenders are scheduled to meet during New York’s upcoming three-game road trip. The Knicks visit Cleveland next Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET on Peacock.

With the Cavaliers gaining momentum and climbing the standings, Barkley’s revised prediction underscores how rapidly the Eastern Conference hierarchy has shifted in the weeks since the trade deadline.

Cade Cunningham’s historic performance led the Detroit Pistons to solidify their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 126-111 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Cunningham produced 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in 38 minutes, shooting 17-for-34 (50 percent) from the field, 5-for-11 from three-point range and 3-for-3 at the foul line. He finished with one steal, two blocks, five turnovers and zero fouls. The 24-year-old scored 24 of Detroit’s 58 points in the first half and 14 points in the opening quarter, hitting three 3-pointers, as the Pistons erased a 9-2 deficit with a 21-8 run. He finished the first half with eight points and assists on a 7-0 run, leading Detroit 58–48 at halftime.

Cunningham’s stat line made franchise history. He became the first Pistons player to post at least 40 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and five 3-pointers in a single game. It was his third 40-point game of the season, his 28th double-double, and fell four points shy of his career high. He is now third in MVP odds at +700 at BetMGM, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-150) and Nikola Jokic (+275).

Meanwhile, Detroit improved to 41–13, the best record in the NBA, six games ahead of the Boston Celtics in the East and seven games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division. The Pistons have won nine of their last 11 games and completed a three-game season sweep of New York by a combined 84 points, extending their regular season winning streak over the Knicks to six games after losing 16 straight in the earlier matchup.

Playing without suspended centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, Detroit still won the rebounding battle 44–38 and outscored New York 58–56 in the paint. Paul Reed started at center and recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, while Tobias Harris contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ausner Thompson scored 10 points.

New York shot 47.1 percent overall but just 8-for-35 (22.9 percent) from three. Jalen Brunson scored 33 points with eight assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The Knicks host the Houston Rockets next Saturday, while the Pistons travel to Chicago to face the Bulls.

NEW YORK – Peaks and valleys tell the story of the New York Knicks’ season so far. Their path to the NBA Finals was open and clear when they were crowned 2025 NBA Cup champions in Las Vegas. Their blockbuster trades and offseason coaching changes were in question after a 2–9 slump. And everything went well in the eight-game winning streak that followed.

The Knicks have shown tremendous, championship-level potential, with superstar point guard Jalen Brunson in the MVP conversations. And he has essentially exposed all the issues on which pundits and scribes base their doubts.

Head coach Mike Brown has preached the importance of selectively losing memory. The goal is to stay grounded, which is similar to the philosophy of Knicks teams led by Tom Thibodeau. The coach, who has spent two-thirds of his first season with this group, says their midseason struggles are necessary evils that ultimately help lay the foundation for playoff success. He declared before their overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers that, based on his experience, the Knicks are on the right track.

“You hate to lose games, and I’m not signing up to lose games. But I believe we need to struggle a few times this year. … It’s going to test our resolve as a group. You’ve got to stay connected if you want to give yourself a chance. As the playoffs go on, there’s nothing more stressful than that at the NBA level. Seven-game series, four of them, so it really tests your resolve. … Being able to deal with some adversity.” To be, go through it, stay connected, and hopefully you come out of it a little stronger than you were going into it, that’s something I hope,” Brown told reporters before the All-Star break.

Knicks’ path to NBA Finals clear after All-Star post, but not easy

Logical and methodical, Brown is focused on his group playing winning basketball. The coach was asked about the relative decline in production from All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and his focus was solely on the games leading up to the eight-game winning streak. And when asked what he’s learned about the Knicks players this season, he told the media that the locker room’s solution-oriented approach to dealing with adversity has impressed him.

The coach confirmed last Tuesday, “The way they handled going 2-9 was really good. Because it could have been a lot of finger-pointing, infighting. And our guys were pretty steady in trying to find ways to right the ship.”

The same structured, step-by-step approach that the Knicks’ front office employed to build their current roster – doing research, gathering possessions, waiting for strike opportunities, and executing aggressively when they arise – is similar to Brown’s systematic approach to coaching.

Like many coaches, he has fundamental principles that he wants his teams to follow. And it seems the coach has taken notice of the detail-oriented zeal with which he assigns roles to assistants or reportedly challenges players in practices within team captain Jalen Brunson and his teammates. Their responses to adversity so far have included acknowledging the issues at hand, discussing them as a team, and working with their coaches on implementing solutions.

All things considered, this process has been a winning formula so far. The ultimate test will still be in the postseason, and whether the Knicks can make that fourth seven-game series.

The New York Knicks are entering the post-All-Star break period on a strong note. They have won eight of their last 10 matches. And they have struck a strong balance while displaying above-average defense as of late, including holding the Philadelphia 76ers to 66 points in a recent win. Still, many experts believe the Knicks are still a ways away from realistically competing for a championship. And while that piece may have been added just before the All-Star break, New York needs to address some glaring shortcomings before it’s ready to make its move.

Karl-Anthony Towns has played well recently. He has been a rebounding machine, averaging 14.2 rebounds per game over the last nine games. And it has had a positive impact on the Knicks and their results.

However, he hasn’t scored on the ball as well as he’s capable of. Towns is averaging 16.3 points per game in that same time frame, shooting only 27.3% on nearly four 3-point attempts per game. This is extremely bad considering what we expect from him. But sadly, that’s not a far cry from their output in the 2025-26 season. Towns is averaging the second-lowest points per game of his career this season (19.8%) as well as his second-worst 3-point percentage (35.1%).

That’s not going to cut it if the Knicks hope to win the 2026 NBA Championship. Head coach Mike Brown should make more of an effort to get Towns involved, possibly leaning on off the dribble hand-off action, increasing pick-and-rolls with Jalen Brunson and isolating him in the post.

But it’s not entirely up to Brown to do so. Towns also has his work cut out for him. He must learn to accept missed calls and stop arguing with the referee, step up defense and look for better shot opportunities.

Towns can also demand balls. While Brown and Brunson are partially responsible for Towns’ inclusion, Towns will have to make a strong case to get the ball. That means sealing his man behind him in the post and demanding the ball. This also means not settling for runners and bad or contested shots. But at the end of the day, Towns is too talented to keep this up for a long time. He is due to return in the middle.

The Knicks have more work to do than get Towns back to his pre-2025-26 output. New York must also work on molding their recent additions Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan into their rotation. Alvarado, who was added via trade before the trade deadline, has appeared in three games for New York so far – and his impact has already been felt.

Alvarado adds a palpable intensity and irascibility. He is a high-energy perimeter defender who disrupts opposing offenses and establishes a tough culture. His presence is even more important given the injury to Miles McBride, who will be out until the end of March with a sports hernia. What Alvarado can do on the offensive end of the field is just icing on the cake.

Jeremy Sochan’s role is less clear. The six-foot-eight forward is a versatile defender who adds significant toughness. He is expected to add valuable front court depth, at least initially, taking some minutes from Mohamed Diawara.

Thinking’s ability to defend multiple positions will appeal to Brown. He’ll obviously be a reserve, but exactly how he fits into the team’s rotation remains to be figured out. Sochan had three strong seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before being waived. His role has become less clear this season, but hopefully he can still do what he did before this season, being a disruptive force who can create with the ball in his hands and move well without it.

Knicks must decide on playoff rotation

Both of the above points speak to the team’s need to beef up its rotation. New York has effectively increased its depth. And it has plenty of top-end star power. Now, it’s a matter of understanding who plays and who doesn’t.

Brown said he likes to play a “9.5 man rotation” before the season starts. Well, this leads to some difficult decisions.

In addition to their starting five, the Knicks should consider playing time for Alvarado, Sochan, McBride, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson — not to mention Diawara. Teams can approach their reserves in three different groups: guards, forwards and forwards.

Robinson’s place is well cemented. He must play when he is healthy. And the only limitations here include being careful not to depend on it too much.

There’s probably only room for three guards — Alvarado, McBride, Shamet and Clarkson — and that’s being generous. But it’s impossible to imagine Alvarado, McBride and Shamet No Playing regularly. Sadly, Clarkson is probably the odd one out from the group. However, his presence remains valuable as he adds the most immediate offense off the bench. Hopefully he’ll stay busy without a regular role – that’s a tough ask for anyone.

He skips ahead. Shamet’s size could allow the Browns to play him as a forward as well. But ideally, Sochan could emulate OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. If it doesn’t work out according to plan, the big question becomes will the team turn to Diarra for playoff minutes? And if they do, can he handle it?

Thankfully, the Knicks have 27 games left to resolve these issues. The team should be motivated to improve on last season’s results and advance to the NBA Finals and preferably win it. And this may be their best chance to do so.

There is a possibility that Madison Square Garden Sports CEO James Dolan is taking steps to split the New York Knicks and Rangers, the city’s NBA and NHL teams, into two separate publicly traded companies.

Reports have emerged that MSG’s board of directors has approved a plan to “rediscover its hockey and basketball clubs” (via The New York Times).

If this occurs, the Knicks and their G League team, the Westchester Knicks, will become a separate company from the Rangers and their minor league team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, will similarly be spun off into a separate company.

Still, nothing is “guaranteed to happen” and “there is no timeline in mind to complete this move.” Therefore, fans will have to keep an eye on the situation.

“We are exploring the opportunity to create value for our shareholders by separating our two professional sports franchises into separate companies,” Dolan said in a statement, via The New York Times. “Both the Knicks and Rangers are dominant teams in their respective leagues, with storied histories and large and passionate fan bases.

He further added, “We believe this proposed transaction will provide each company with greater strategic flexibility, its own defined business focus and clearer attributes for investors.”

Will James Dolan and Madison Square Garden split the Knicks and Rangers?

While Madison Square Garden’s board approved the plan, there were other factors involved. Both the NBA and NHL would have to approve the move. The New York Times also notes that “There are other views.”

Regarding the reason for this, some are speculating that such a move would make it “easier” for Dolan to sell one of the franchises. In 1994 the Dolan family became minority owners of the franchise. Shortly thereafter, he became the majority owner.

Dolan is adamant that he has no interest in selling teams. However, he and MSG executives have stated their interest in selling a minority stake.

Another possible reason for the move, as The New York Times notes, is that it could serve as a “precursor” to making the Knicks and Rangers privately traded teams. They are both currently publicly traded.