The New York Knicks are the reigning NBA champions, but their preseason has presented a series of tough tests. Their most recent outing was a 148-98 preseason loss to the Toronto Raptors on October 13, 2026. This follows other exhibition defeats to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers. The team now turns its focus to the regular season opener on October 20 against Philadelphia, carrying the confidence of last June's championship, their first since 1973.
The Knicks' core remains a major asset. They have two All-Stars in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The starting lineup of Brunson, Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges is entering its third season together, providing rare stability. Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP, has proven himself as a top-tier leader and clutch performer. The team's playoff resilience was historic. They set an NBA Finals record by erasing a 29-point deficit in Game 4 against San Antonio, after a similar 22-point fourth-quarter comeback against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.
Head coach Mike Brown is in his second season with the team. He guided them to a 53-29 record and the championship last year. The front office kept most of the roster intact during free agency. Their playoff run was dominant, finishing 16-3 and outscoring opponents by 283 points, the largest margin in postseason history.
Preseason results, like the 50-point loss to Toronto, highlight areas for improvement before the games count. The team acknowledges it cannot play an 82-game season at the same intensity as their 16-3 playoff march. There will be regular season bumps. The departure of center Mitchell Robinson to division rival Boston is a loss. His offensive rebounding and interior defense will be missed.
Contract situations create some uncertainty. Both Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are eligible for extensions. The Knicks have decided to pause negotiations until later in the season after talks stalled. This could become a storyline to monitor as the season progresses and the trade deadline approaches. The team added veteran center Andre Drummond to help fill the void left by Robinson and Ariel Hukporti.
OG Anunoby is a player on the rise. Long considered an All-Defensive team candidate, his offensive game reached new heights in the playoffs. He shot 56% from the field and an impressive 49% from three-point range. His tip-in capped the historic Game 4 comeback in the Finals. His two-way impact will be vital.
Jalen Brunson is the engine. His ability to control games and deliver in big moments makes him the team's most important player. Karl-Anthony Towns must maintain his focus alongside the extension talks. His scoring and rebounding are essential. Josh Hart's energy and versatility on both ends round out a formidable starting five. The team's immediate task is to regroup after their preseason finale, a rematch against the Toronto Raptors at home on October 15. Fans can track the team's progress through the upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
The Knicks believe they have the talent and chemistry to contend for another championship. Their journey begins now, with the lessons from a challenging preseason in hand and the Larry O'Brien Trophy to defend.
