You're probably staring at your TV guide or scrolling through your phone trying to figure out what time are the knicks playing tonight, but here’s the thing: they actually aren’t.
If you were expecting to see Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns hitting the floor at the Garden this evening, Friday, January 16, 2026, you've been hit with a classic "off-night" schedule. The New York Knicks just wrapped up a brutal West Coast swing that ended with a late-night battle against the Golden State Warriors yesterday. They are currently in the air or settling back into Manhattan, catching their breath before a big home stretch.
🔗 Read more: Coco Gauff French Open 2025: Why Her Title Run Changed Everything
When Is the Next Knicks Game?
Since the team is off tonight, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get your fix. The Knicks are scheduled to play the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET at Madison Square Garden.
It's kind of a big deal because it marks their return to the World's Most Famous Arena after a long road trip. Plus, the Suns are always a tough draw with their perimeter shooting. If you're looking for tickets, they aren't cheap—most secondary markets like SeatGeek and Ticketmaster are showing entry prices starting around $275 to $295. New York basketball is expensive. That's just the reality of 2026.
The Brunson Injury Situation
Honestly, the biggest story right now isn't even the schedule—it's Jalen Brunson’s ankle. During the game against Sacramento earlier this week, our captain went down with a right ankle sprain. He sat out the Warriors game yesterday, and the vibe around the team is definitely "cautious."
Tom Thibodeau isn't exactly known for resting guys, but with the Knicks sitting at 25-15 and comfortably in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, they might give him more time. Miles McBride has been stepping up, but let’s be real: nobody replaces Brunson’s production. Watching how the training staff handles him over the next 24 hours will tell us everything about their chances against Phoenix.
Key Matchup Details for Tomorrow
The Saturday night game against the Suns isn't just another regular-season game. It’s a measuring stick. Here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, NYC.
- Time: 7:30 PM Eastern.
- TV: MSG Network (Local) or NBA League Pass (Out of market).
- Radio: 98.7 ESPN New York.
The Knicks' offense has been ranked top-five for most of the season, but their defense has slipped to 17th. That's a weird spot for a Thibs team. If they don't tighten up the perimeter defense against Phoenix, it could be a long night in midtown.
Why the NBA Schedule Is So Weird This Week
You might be wondering why there are so many other games tonight but New York is dark. The NBA has been trying to reduce the number of back-to-back games for teams flying across time zones. Since the Knicks played at the Chase Center in San Francisco last night (a 10:00 PM ET start), the league mandates a rest day to allow for travel and recovery.
While the Knicks are resting, the rest of the league is busy. If you really need a basketball fix tonight, you’ve got some solid options:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers: This one is on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET. It’s a massive Eastern Conference clash.
- New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers: Keep an eye on Trey Murphy; he’s been on an absolute tear lately.
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls: If you want to stay local, the Nets are playing at the Barclays Center at 7:30 PM ET.
Looking Ahead at the Knicks Calendar
After the Suns game, the schedule doesn't get any easier. On Monday, January 19, they have a 5:00 PM matinee against the Dallas Mavericks. That’s an early start, so don’t get caught off guard. Then they have a "Subway Series" matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Basically, the Knicks are about to live at Madison Square Garden for the rest of the month. It’s a golden opportunity to stack some wins and move up from that 4th or 5th seed spot.
📖 Related: PPR Cheat Sheet 2025: What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
To stay prepared for the Saturday night return, make sure your MSG+ subscription is active or your cable login hasn't expired. If Brunson remains out, expect Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby to take on a massive scoring load. They’ll need to be elite on both ends to keep the Suns' offense in check.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Injury Report: Follow the official Knicks PR Twitter/X account tomorrow around 5:30 PM ET for the final word on Jalen Brunson’s availability.
- Set Your Alerts: If you use a calendar app, sync the Knicks' schedule to ensure you don't miss the early 5:00 PM tip-off this coming Monday.
- Watch the East Standings: Keep an eye on the Cavs vs. Sixers game tonight on ESPN; the outcome directly impacts the Knicks' seeding in the Atlantic Division.