Checking the standings is usually a simple task, but if you're asking what is the knicks record right now, the answer comes with a side of "it's complicated." As of January 17, 2026, the New York Knicks sit at 25-16. On paper, that’s a solid win percentage. You've got a team that is firmly in the hunt for a top seed in the Eastern Conference, currently hovering around the 3rd spot. But honestly, if you've been watching the games lately, those 25 wins feel like they happened in a different lifetime.
The vibes in Manhattan are... tense.
They just dropped a rough one to the Golden State Warriors, 126-113. That loss followed a disappointing showing in Sacramento. So, we're looking at a two-game skid. It's not a crisis yet, but for a team with championship aspirations after the blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns and the hiring of Mike Brown, "not a crisis" isn't exactly the goal.
Breaking Down the Standings: Where the Knicks Rank
The East is a total bloodbath this year. While the Detroit Pistons are surprisingly pacing the conference—yeah, you read that right—the Knicks are neck-and-neck with the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors.
Basically, the Atlantic Division is a nightly game of musical chairs.
One day you're 1st; the next day you're looking at a Play-In scenario if you aren't careful. The Knicks’ 25-16 record translates to a .610 winning percentage. At home? They are absolute monsters at Madison Square Garden, going 16-4. On the road? That’s where the wheels kinda come off. A 9-12 road record is the literal definition of "room for improvement."
The Jalen Brunson Factor
You cannot talk about what is the knicks record without talking about the health of Jalen Brunson. He’s the engine. No, he’s the entire car. Brunson is currently nursing a right ankle sprain he picked up against the Kings. He sat out the Warriors game, and the drop-off was noticeable.
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Miles McBride stepped up and put up 21 points, which is great, but he isn't Jalen.
Without Brunson’s ability to manipulate the defense and find open shooters, the offense looks stagnant. He's averaging about 28.2 points and 6.1 assists this season. When those numbers are missing from the box score, the Knicks' record tends to take a hit. He's currently listed as day-to-day, and every fan in the five boroughs is holding their breath for the next injury report.
The Karl-Anthony Towns Conundrum
When Leon Rose pulled the trigger on the KAT trade, the idea was to give Brunson a legitimate co-star who could stretch the floor. And look, there have been moments of brilliance. Towns has had games where he looks like the best shooting big man in history.
But lately? It’s been rough.
KAT is currently mired in what some are calling a career-worst slump. Over his last seven games, he’s averaging just 16.7 points. For a guy who is supposed to be a walking 25-and-10, that’s a problem. Even worse is the foul trouble. In the loss to the Warriors, he fouled out late in the game, with three of those being offensive fouls.
Coach Mike Brown hasn't hidden his frustration. He’s been vocal about needing more hustle and better integration from his star center. If the Knicks want to push past that 25-16 mark and actually challenge for a ring, KAT has to find his rhythm again.
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Defensive Identity Under Mike Brown
One of the biggest shifts this season was the move from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown. While Thibs was all about that grit-and-grind defense, Brown has brought a more modern, pace-oriented approach.
The Knicks are scoring more—averaging 118.9 points per game—but they’re also giving up more.
- Offensive Rating: 120.7 (3rd in the NBA)
- Defensive Rating: 116.9 (18th in the NBA)
- Net Rating: +3.8
The defense is currently middle-of-the-pack. In 2026, you can't just outscore everyone, especially in the playoffs. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are doing the heavy lifting on the perimeter, but the interior defense has been leaky. Mitchell Robinson has been in and out of the lineup with "injury management," and when he’s not there to erase mistakes at the rim, the Knicks look vulnerable.
What’s Next on the Schedule?
The record is going to be tested immediately. The Knicks are back at the Garden tonight, January 17, to face the Phoenix Suns. Then it’s a showdown with the Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg on MLK Day.
It’s a brutal stretch.
If Brunson stays sidelined, we could easily see this record slip toward .500. However, if the "Villanova Knicks" (Bridges, Hart, and hopefully a healthy Brunson) can find that chemistry again, there’s no reason they can’t go on a run. Josh Hart has been the unsung hero, as usual, recently returning from his own ankle issues to provide that "Swiss Army Knife" energy the team desperately needs.
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Honestly, the 25-16 record is a bit of a mirage. It reflects a team that started hot, won the NBA Cup (shoutout to that mid-season hardware!), and is now treading water while dealing with the reality of an 82-game grind.
Why the Record Matters for the Trade Deadline
With the February 5 trade deadline looming, the front office is watching these numbers closely. Reports are swirling that the Knicks might be looking for another wing or a backup big, possibly targeting a $9 million forward from the Mavericks to shore up the bench.
If the record dips, expect Leon Rose to be aggressive.
The Knicks aren't in "development mode" anymore. They are in "win now" mode. The championship window is open, but as we’ve seen in the last week, it can start to feel like it’s slamming shut if the stars aren't aligned.
Actionable Steps for Knicks Fans
If you're tracking the team's progress, don't just look at the wins and losses. Here is how to actually gauge if this team is heading in the right direction:
- Watch the "Foul Count" for KAT: If Towns is picking up two fouls in the first quarter, the Knicks are likely going to struggle. His availability is the key to their spacing.
- Monitor the Road Split: The Knicks need to start winning games away from MSG. Keep an eye on the upcoming West Coast swings in March; that will define their playoff seeding.
- Injury Report Refresh: Follow beat writers like Tommy Beer or the official NBA injury portal. Jalen Brunson’s ankle is the most important body part in New York sports right now.
- Bench Productivity: Look at Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek. If the bench can keep the team afloat while the starters rest (or heal), the record will stabilize.
The Knicks have the talent. They have the coach. Now they just need the health. A 25-16 start is a foundation, but in New York, the foundation is only as good as the skyscraper you build on top of it.
Next Steps for Tracking the Season:
To stay ahead of the curve, you should bookmark the official NBA standings page and set alerts for the "L2M" (Last Two Minute) reports on close games. These reports often reveal if the Knicks are being disadvantaged by officiating in tight road contests, which has been a point of contention for Mike Brown lately. Additionally, check the Atlantic Division tiebreaker rules, as the race between New York, Boston, and Toronto is likely to come down to head-to-head records by April.