New York Knicks enter the 2026-27 season chasing a repeat NBA championship after winning the 2026 title with a 16-3 playoff record. The defending champions open their campaign at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, looking to build on a strong finish that included a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on June 14. New York Knicks have won four of their last five games, riding a two-game winning streak into training camp.
The 2025-26 New York Knicks secured the NBA title despite finishing the regular season with just 53 wins, relying on elite postseason execution. Jalen Brunson earned Finals MVP honors after leading the team through a dominant playoff stretch where the starting five remained remarkably healthy, with OG Anunoby missing only two games in the second round. Their ability to raise in high-pressure moments defined the championship run, even without a top-tier regular-season record.
New York Knicks replaced starting center Mitchell Robinson with veteran Andre Drummond, who provides strong rebounding and a more polished offensive game, though he is a step down as a rim protector. The team still needs to address the vacancy left by Ariel Hukporti, with a third-string center likely to come via trade or free agency to bolster bench depth. Health and role-player development will be critical as Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns shoulder the offensive load.
The Knicks aim to develop a starting role player into an All-Star to create a legitimate third scoring option alongside Brunson and Towns. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are identified as candidates to make that leap, similar to how the Oklahoma City Thunder helped Chet Holmgren earn his first All-Star nod. Establishing that third star would make New York Knicks far more dangerous in the 2027 playoffs, especially against elite Eastern Conference teams like the upgraded Philadelphia 76ers, who added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Fans can track the team’s progress through the upcoming schedule on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
