Top 10 New York Knicks games you can’t miss in 2025-26

Rodney Knuppel

Top 10 New York Knicks games you can’t miss in 2025-26 image

Feb 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after getting called for a foul in the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks are starting a new chapter. A new coaching staff, a renewed sense of purpose, and a fan base that’s as hungry as ever make this season one of the most anticipated in years. Madison Square Garden is ready to roar again, and the Knicks have a schedule full of games that can define their comeback story.

Here are the 10 games every Knicks fan should mark on their calendar.

MORE: Top 10 Boston Celtics games you can’t miss in 2025-26

  1. Oct 24 vs Boston
    Opening night at The Garden against the rival Celtics. A fresh start under the new staff and a chance to make an early statement against one of the East’s best.

  2. Oct 29 vs Cleveland
    The defending East regular-season top seed roll into New York early. It’s a perfect test for a Knicks team trying to prove it belongs back in that top tier.

  3. Nov 9 at Brooklyn
    The crosstown rivalry always delivers. A new year, a new Knicks system, and a chance to own New York bragging rights again.

  4. Dec 2 at Philadelphia
    Knicks vs 76ers always brings grit and emotion. Philadelphia’s star power against New York’s revamped rotation makes this a must-watch.

  5. Dec 25 vs Cleveland
    Christmas Day basketball at Madison Square Garden. The lights, the history, and the energy make this one of the best sports traditions in the world.

  6. Jan 17 vs Indiana
    Knicks-Pacers never feels like a regular-season game. It’s physical, emotional, and fueled by playoff memories. This one will be no different.

  7. Feb 1 vs Los Angeles Lakers
    LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the Garden is about as big as it gets. Two global stars on the world’s biggest stage, this is one of those nights fans talk about all season.

  8. Feb 21 vs Houston
    Kevin Durant and the Rockets bring another loaded Western contender to New York. Big-name talent, big-stage energy, and a chance for the Knicks to test themselves against elite competition.

  9. Mar 17 vs Oklahoma City
    The defending NBA champions visit late in the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren against New York’s blue-collar defense will be must-see basketball.

  10. Apr 9 vs Boston
    The final home game of the regular season. Celtics in town, playoff seeding on the line, and Madison Square Garden at full volume. It doesn’t get better than that.

The Knicks are chasing respect, not just wins. The new coaching staff has built a foundation around defense, toughness, and smarter offense. Jaylen Brunson remains the heart of the team, and young players like RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes are ready to step up in bigger roles. The Garden is alive again, and these 10 games will show whether this new version of the Knicks is ready to take back its place among the NBA’s contenders.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.