New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Knicks will have no shortage of primetime matchups as the defending NBA champions, and a gauntlet of a 2026-27 schedule awaits: 13 back-to-backs, at least nine road games in December, including the NBA Cup, and marquee matchups galore against some of the very best the game has to offer.
It’s nearly impossible to do so, but here are five must-watch games to tune into this season.
Opening night: Tuesday vs. 76ers
The Knicks will tip off the new season at home, and do so by raising their championship banner and receiving their rings. They’ll get to do so against a Philadelphia squad they bounced in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, but have reloaded after acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics and signing the legendary LeBron James.
Slotting them next to Joel Embiid makes the Sixers a dangerous team in the East, and they’ll be looking to make an early statement against the Knicks.
Nov. 22 vs. Pacers
Knicks villain Tyrese Haliburton returns to Madison Square Garden for the first time after he and the Pacers bounced them from the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago.
It was his shot at the buzzer in regulation of Game 1 of that Conference Finals that catapulted him into Knicks lore — a long-range prayer that bounced high off the back of the rim and in. Haliburton then ran to mid-court at MSG and imitated Reggie Miller’s infamous choking celebration.
But Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and the Pacers won just 19 games last season. They want to get back to the top of the East, and Haliburton probably can’t wait to get back on 34th St.
Nov. 27 vs. Heat
The Knicks had been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo for the better part of two years, which featured plenty of trade rumors that would have sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Milwaukee Bucks. But the Knicks’ championship run halted any hopes of the Greek Freak coming to MSG, and he went to the Miami Heat instead.
Christmas Day vs. Spurs
This really does not need much billing. It’s a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals, and the first time these two teams are meeting since Jalen Brunson dropped 45 points in Game 5 to win the Knicks their first championship since 1973.
March 14 vs. Celtics
Jayson Tatum is fully healthy, and Paul George has replaced Jaylen Brown for a Celtics team that has a lot to prove this season. More importantly for plenty of Knicks fans is the return of Mitchell Robinson. The veteran big man spent his first eight seasons in New York and was a dominant force down low during the championship run. Yet, he was allowed to walk to the rival Celtics with little resistance.
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