The New York Knicks head into the 2021-22 NBA season with high expectations and 22 nationally televised games.
The NBA is back to its full, 82-game regular season schedule for next season and they made sure to include the Knicks among the most televised teams.
After the Knicks’ revival last season, and the additions of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, commissioner Adam Silver and the national sports media alike couldn’t resist the box office matchups that will take place.
Let’s take a look at some of the key dates heading into next season:
Home Opener vs. Celtics
The Knicks kick off the season with 11 of their first 19 games at home. The first game comes against the Boston Celtics on October 20th on ESPN. The energy at Madison Square Garden will be electric for Kemba Walker’s return to his hometown of New York City and against his former team.
On October 26th, the Knicks take on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers at MSG on TNT. Time will tell if Ben Simmons remains with the squad leading up to the matchup, but regardless, the game presents an important early-season matchup against an Atlantic division rival.
On November 11th the Knicks will take on the reigning champs in Milwaukee. This will be one of the first early tests for the Knicks against a team we know has championship-level talent.
Knicks take on Lakers & Nets
On 11/23 and 11/30 respectively, New York takes on the Los Angeles Lakers (TNT) and Brooklyn Nets (TNT). With the additions of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk, the Knicks’ first game against the Lakers at MSG will undoubtedly be one of the more exciting matchups of the early season.
The matchups against the Brooklyn Nets have also been a must-watch ever since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving spurned the Knicks in the offseason of 2019. It has created tension between the two teams that is palpable, especially with the Knicks’ success despite them. With a much-improved Knicks team now with even deeper playoff aspirations, make sure to highlight the game on 11/30 in Brooklyn on your calendar.
Christmas day against Hawks
Arguably the most anticipated game heading into next season is the Christmas day game against the Atlanta Hawks. After a 4-1 series loss to the Hawks in last year’s playoffs, the Knicks’ additions of Walker and Fournier should make them a better matchup against Atlanta this season.
Couple that with expected improvements from Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and the return of Mitchell Robinson, and the New York has a serious shot at overtaking their newfound rivals. Even so, most predictions have the Hawks finishing the season ahead of New York. We’ll see.
Western Conference Powerhouses
The Knicks will storm through February and March of 2022 with a tough set of road games. This includes multiple Western Conference road trips before and after the All-Star break. They take on the Lakers (ABC), Jazz, Nuggets, Warriors and Blazers within one road trip. New York also faces some tough Eastern Conference teams again as well. They play the Nets (ESPN) on February 16th of 2022 as well as the 76ers (Feb. 27 & March 2), Clippers (March 6), Hawks (March 22) and Nets again (March 13). This will prove to be one of the most difficult sets of games throughout the season.
Knicks vs. Hawks to End the Season
New York ends their string of regular season nationally televised contests with another matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on March 22nd, 2022 at MSG (TNT). It’s safe to say that tensions will be high late in the season between these two teams. And, barring any significant injuries, this game could end up being one of the most important matchups of the Knicks’ season assuming they’re still in the playoff hunt.
Which Knicks games are you most excited about heading into next season? Do you think the Knicks can keep up with a much-improved Eastern Conference? Will they end up within the top 6 in the East?
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps heading into the regular season. Also, make sure to check out CP The Fanchises record predictions and reactions to the projected ESPN standings below!
