Here are the top 10 matchups for the New York Knicks with the 2022-23 NBA schedule finally being released.
As we near the start of training camp, the league is bubbling up excitement for what should be another thrilling season. All 30 teams have released their full 82 game schedules. The Knicks promoted theirs with a 1990s-early-morning-infomercial style video starring professional actor Obi Toppin.
The team then released the full schedule with photos of key players in the graphics. Toppin and Immanuel Quickley were featured. However, Quentin Grimes and Cam Reddish weren’t…
The Knicks will play every Eastern Conference team at least three times and every Western Conference team twice. They will complete their annual long west coast road trip in mid-November, and they have games scheduled on NBA Opening Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, MLK Day, and Easter.
Die-hard Knicks fans watch all 82 games or at least check the box scores the day after. But if you can’t catch every game, here are 10 of the matchups on the schedule I would consider must-watches:
Season Opener at Memphis on ESPN, 10/19/22
The Knicks kick off their season on the road against the Memphis Grizzles. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s highly anticipated starting lineup decisions will immediately be tested against a high-octane offense like the Grizzles, who finished second in points per game last season. Memphis will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. to begin the season, but Ja Morant will single-handedly put pressure on the Knicks’ defense, and Desmond Bane is always a threat to get hot from outside too.
The season opener will also be the first real chance to see new Knicks Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein, as well as matured versions of the younger players like Barrett, Quickley, Grimes, and Toppin. The team needs time to mesh and build chemistry, but a win in Game 1 of 82 against a playoff team on national television would set the tone for a successful season.
Home Opener vs. Detroit, 10/21/22
Cue the music: the Knicks will host the Detroit Pistons for a Friday Night Knicks home opener. The friendly faces of Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel will return to New York as members of the Pistons. Fans will also get a taste of what New York missed out on in Detroit rookies Jaden Ivey (who they didn’t trade for) and Jalen Duren (who they traded for future picks).
This game should be an exciting battle between two of the young teams in the league. The Knicks should have the talent advantage, but expect former #1 pick, Cade Cunningham, to light Madison Square Garden on fire.
Subway Series at Brooklyn, 11/9/22
November 9th will be the Knicks’ first chance to face the Brooklyn Nets (New York’s most dysfunctional team) on the road. Games at Barclays Center are almost always home games for the away team, and Knicks fans will show out to mock whoever the Nets have in their lineup at that point.
In all seriousness, the Knicks should take advantage of this opportunity to kick Brooklyn while it’s down. At full strength, the Nets are still a dangerous team, and they swept the Knicks last year in 4 games. Those games were always close, though—the Knicks lost by an average of 5.5 points per game—and the addition of a point guard should make this year’s matchups a lot more favorable in New York’s direction.
Additionally, the league has started a new tradition called “Rivals Week,” which will take place January 24-28, 2023. That week will feature some marquee matchups with various storylines.
It’s an honorable mention for me instead of a “Must Watch” because it’s not the first time the Knicks and Nets will see each other, but it is another opportunity to assert dominance. And who knows? By then, maybe the Nets roster will look a little different.
A Not-So-Coincidental TNT Game at Utah, 11/15/22
There hasn’t been this much interest in a Knicks-Utah matchup in a long time. In mid-November, the Knicks will head to Utah for a game that will be broadcasted on TNT. What’s even more interesting about this game is that it is the only non-NBA TV nationally televised game the Jazz have on their schedule all year! Now, why might that be?… [insert Brian Windhorst meme]
Here’s why: if either New York or Utah finally blinks in this staring contest, that game will be Donovan Mitchell’s first in Utah as an opposing player. And if negotiations remain at an impasse, the league will probably have a designated “Don Camera” and record every movement, reaction, and interaction with Knicks players before, during, and after the game.
#KnicksforClicks, even when nothing happens.
Christmas at the Garden vs. Philadelphia, 12/25/22
You can’t spell Christmas Day Games without Madison Square Garden. Last year, the Knicks gifted fans with an excellent outing against the Atlanta Hawks, featuring a Kemba Walker triple-double and a signature Obi Toppin Eastbay jam. This year, they’ll take on James Harden, Joel Embiid, and the Philadelphia 76ers to open the NBA Christmas slate. The stars always put on a show at the Garden, so be sure to open those presents in the morning so you don’t miss the performance at noon.
Jalen Brunson’s Return to Dallas, 12/27/22
Dallas and New York have shared NBA players pretty frequently the last few years: Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway Jr., Theo Pinson, and Frank Ntilikina are former Knicks on the Mavericks roster, and they just traded away Kristaps Porzingis last season. Jalen Brunson is the opposite, as the Knicks managed to pry the point guard away from Dallas thanks to some familial ties and big guaranteed money. Brunson will make his return to his former playing spot a few days after Christmas and should be greeted by a boisterous combination of cheers and boos from the Mavericks crowd (and Mark Cuban).
As for the game itself, the Knicks are 6-2 in matchups against Luka Doncic, so bet on New York’s success to continue.
A Potential LeBron Legacy Games vs. Los Angeles, 1/31/23
Remember last year when Steph Curry hit one measly three-pointer in the Garden, and they stopped the game for 10 minutes just to clap for him? The same thing could happen again in late January when the Los Angeles Lakers come to town.
It’s hard to predict James’ scoring average, and even harder to predict how many games he will play. But LeBron has a flair for the dramatic, so he just might purposefully load manage his way into setting the stage for another legacy game held on 4 Pennsylvania Plaza. And as much as we might not enjoy seeing another player receive an ovation on Broadway, basketball fans won’t want to miss out on another chance to witness greatness.
Another Jazzy Coincidence Game vs. Utah, 2/11/23
The Jazz will visit the Garden on February 11th. Last year’s trade deadline was February 10th, which will be around that same time this year. The NBA is certainly buying into the storyline of the Donovan Mitchell to New York rumors, and they’re preparing to have top-notch publicity whenever that trade finally happens.
No matter what team Mitchell is on, the Knicks should sweep that season series. Utah has zero incentive to win a single game next season with the way prospects Victor Wembamyama, Scoot Henderson, and twins Amen and Ausar Thompson are looking.
Season Finale vs. Indiana, 4/9/23
Why would a game against the Pacers be a must-watch game? Because it might be the most crucial game of the season. The current Vegas over-under has the Knicks at 39.5, which is the 10th highest win total in the East. So just barely making the play-in won’t feel like much of an accomplishment, and it’s very likely that the conference will be a dogfight until the end.
For reference, the teams ranked higher than the Knicks by Vegas are the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Time will tell if the Knicks can beat the odds and eclipse a few of these teams. The Pacers, whom they play twice in the last three games, might help them do that.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out Knicks Weekly where CP and Alex breakdown the latest Knicks news and rumors!
