Honestly, trying to figure out a knicks game on what channel in 2026 feels a little bit like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while blindfolded. It used to be simple. You’d flip on MSG, see Mike Breen and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, and life was good. But the NBA’s new media rights deal has turned the schedule into a giant jigsaw puzzle. One night you’re on cable, the next you’re digging for an app password, and the night after that, you're wondering why the game isn't on TV at all.
If you're sitting on your couch right now frantically scrolling through the guide, here is the deal. For most local fans in the New York Tri-state area, MSG Network is still your home base. They are carrying 65 regular-season games this year. But—and this is a big but—the national TV schedule is heavier than ever because Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have turned the Knicks into a massive ratings draw.
The Quick Check: Where Is the Game Right Now?
Let's cut to the chase. If the Knicks are playing a big-time rival like the Celtics or the Sixers, you’re likely looking at a national broadcast. Here is the breakdown of the major players for the 2025-26 season:
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- MSG Network / MSG2: This is the default for about 80% of the season. If you have cable or Fubo, check here first.
- ABC / ESPN: These usually land on Wednesdays, Saturday nights, or Sunday afternoons. They have about 13 games this year, including the big Christmas Day matchup.
- NBC and Peacock: NBC is back in the NBA business! You’ll find the Knicks here on many Sunday nights (now that the NFL season is wrapping up) and Tuesdays. Some games are Peacock exclusives, meaning they won't be on traditional TV at all.
- Amazon Prime Video: This is the new kid on the block. Prime has exclusive rights to many Friday night games and some Thursday night slots.
- NBA TV: Used for those "secondary" national games. Usually, these aren't exclusive, so you can still find them on MSG if you live in the New York market.
Dealing with the MSG vs. Gotham Sports App Confusion
For a long time, we had the MSG+ app. Now, everything has migrated over to the Gotham Sports App. If you’re a cord-cutter living in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or even parts of Connecticut and Jersey, this is basically your only way to get the local broadcast without a full cable package.
It’s pricey. You're looking at around $30 a month just for the MSG feed, or you can bundle it with YES Network (if you’re a Yankees or Nets fan) for a bit more. The catch? You have to be in the "in-market" zone. If you’re trying to use this app from a hotel in Los Angeles, you’re going to get hit with a blackout screen faster than a Brunson crossover.
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What About Out-of-Market Fans?
If you live in Florida, Texas, or anywhere else outside the Knicks' broadcast territory, your life is actually much simpler. You just need NBA League Pass.
In 2026, the league moved the League Pass infrastructure primarily over to Amazon Prime Video. You can still buy it through the NBA app, but most people find the Prime Video interface a lot more stable. Just remember: if the Knicks are playing a national game on ABC or ESPN, the League Pass stream will be blacked out for everyone. You'll have to switch to the national channel.
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Why Some Games Are "Missing" From Your Guide
It happens every year. You check the schedule, it says "Knicks vs. Warriors," but you can’t find the knicks game on what channel. Usually, this is because of a "streaming exclusive."
Amazon and Peacock paid billions for the right to take a few games away from traditional cable. On those nights, the game won't be on MSG. It won't be on ESPN. You literally have to open the specific streaming app to watch it. It's annoying, I know. My dad still calls me once a week asking why he can't find the game on "the regular TV."
Key Dates for National Broadcasts
- Christmas Day: Usually on ABC or ESPN.
- MLK Day: A big staple for the Knicks, often on NBC or TNT/Peacock.
- NBA Rivals Week: Late January often sees high-profile matchups moved to ABC.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Tip-Off
Instead of guessing, here is how you stay ahead of the broadcast chaos:
- Download the Gotham Sports App if you are local and don't have cable. It’s the only way to ensure you have the Frazier/Breen commentary for the majority of the season.
- Check the Prime Video Schedule. Amazon has a specific "NBA on Prime" landing page that lists every game they’ve claimed for the month.
- Sync a Dynamic Calendar. The official Knicks website offers an iCal/Google Calendar sync. It’s a lifesaver because it updates the "channel" field automatically whenever a game gets flexed into a national spot.
- Use the NBA App for Alerts. Set your notifications for "Game Start." The alert usually includes the primary broadcaster so you don't spend the first five minutes of the first quarter flipping through channels.
The era of "one channel for everything" is officially dead. But as long as you have a decent internet connection and a few login credentials, you can follow the Knicks all the way to the playoffs.