You're stuck in BQE traffic. Maybe you're just out for a run by the East River and the Knicks are about to tip off at the Garden. We’ve all been there. You need the game, and you need it now. But finding exactly what radio station is the new york knicks game on can feel like a moving target because of how much the New York media landscape has shifted recently.
If you’re looking for the short answer: 880 ESPN New York (WHSQ-AM) is your primary destination for the 2025-26 season.
Forget the old 98.7 FM days. That signal is gone for sports fans. If you tune your dial to 98.7 now, you're going to hear something very different from Jalen Brunson hitting a contested three. To catch the orange and blue, you’ve gotta go to the AM side of the dial or use one of the digital workarounds that actually work.
The Big Switch: Why 880 AM is the New Home
For years, Knicks fans instinctively hit the FM button. But in late 2024, the partnership between MSG and ESPN New York moved exclusively to the 880 AM frequency. This was a massive shakeup. Basically, Good Karma Brands (which operates ESPN New York) stopped leasing the 98.7 FM signal.
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Now, the Knicks share the 880 AM airwaves with the Rangers and the Mets. It’s crowded. Sometimes, if there’s a scheduling conflict—like a Mets night game overlapping with a Knicks playoff push—the broadcast might jump over to 1050 AM (WEPN). It’s rare, but it happens. Keep 1050 in your back pocket just in case.
Who are the voices on the call?
Honestly, the radio booth is where the real soul of the game lives. While we all love Mike Breen’s "Bang!" on TV, the radio side has its own flavor. Tyler Murray is currently handles the play-by-play. He’s relatively new to the Knicks chair, having taken over recently, but he’s already won over the Garden faithful with a high-energy style that fits the city's vibe.
Alongside him is the incredible Monica McNutt. You’ve seen her on ESPN and MSG Network, but her radio analysis is top-tier. She’s the primary analyst for the 2025-26 season. When these two are on, it’s a fast-paced, smart broadcast. Occasionally, you might hear a legend like Ed Cohen or even a rotating cast of former players, but Murray and McNutt are the duo you're likely to hear.
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Listening Outside of New York City
Maybe you’re a Knicks fan living in Jersey, Connecticut, or way out on the Island. The 880 AM signal is legendary—it's a "clear channel" station, which means at night, you can sometimes hear it all the way down the East Coast. But we live in 2026; you don't have to rely on atmospheric conditions anymore.
- The App Route: The ESPN New York App is the most reliable way to stream. It’s free. It doesn't glitch as much as the generic radio apps.
- SiriusXM: If you have a satellite subscription, the Knicks are always on. Check Channel 86 (NBA Radio) for the national feed, or use the SiriusXM app to find the specific Knicks "Home" broadcast. Usually, that's tucked away in the 800s or 900s on the digital dial.
- NBA League Pass: If you're outside the New York market, League Pass lets you listen to the radio broadcast for a small monthly fee. It’s great if you want to avoid the "blackout" headaches that plague the TV side.
What about the "Away" broadcasts?
It’s a valid question. If the Knicks are playing in Portland or San Antonio, can you still hear Tyler and Monica? Yes. Every single game—preseason, regular season, and the inevitable playoff run—is carried on 880 AM.
However, if you are actually in the opposing team's city, you might find it easier to tune into the local station there. For example, during a recent West Coast swing, fans in Oregon were catching the action on Rip City Radio 620. But for the "New York" perspective, stay tuned to the ESPN New York digital streams.
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
A Quick Cheat Sheet for the 2025-26 Season
Don't get caught scrolling through your phone while the game is starting. Here is the hierarchy of where to listen:
- Primary Radio: 880 AM (WHSQ)
- Backup/Overflow: 1050 AM (WEPN)
- Streaming: ESPN New York App or the MSG+ App
- Satellite: SiriusXM (Search "Knicks")
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think WFAN (101.9 FM/660 AM) carries the Knicks. They don't. That’s Nets territory. If you tune into the Fan looking for the Knicks, you’re going to hear talk about the Giants or Yankees, or perhaps a Brooklyn game. Don't make that mistake in the fourth quarter.
Also, some fans think the games are still on 98.7 FM because old articles still pop up in search results. Just to be 100% clear: 98.7 FM is no longer the home of the Knicks. They moved to the 880 AM signal to consolidate the New York sports experience.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you never miss a tip-off, download the ESPN New York app right now and enable notifications for "Knicks Game Start." If you prefer the old-school way, program 880 AM into your car's "Preset 1." The signal is strong, the commentary is elite, and there's nothing quite like hearing a Knicks win while driving through the city streets.