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Finding out what time does the knicks game start tonight is usually the easy part, but when you're dealing with a team that has half its roster in the trainer's room, things get a little more complicated than just checking a clock. If you were looking for a game on Friday, January 16, 2026, here’s the deal: the Knicks do not play tonight. They actually just wrapped up a brutal late-night West Coast matchup against the Golden State Warriors yesterday, Thursday, January 15. That game tipped off at 10:00 PM ET at the Chase Center. If you're currently staring at your remote wondering why the MSG Network is showing a replay or a poker tournament, that is why. The team is currently traveling back to New York to get ready for their next home stand at the Garden.
When is the next Knicks game?
Since you missed them tonight, you’ve basically got 24 hours to get your snacks ready. The Knicks return to action tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, 2026, against the Phoenix Suns.
That game is scheduled for a 7:30 PM ET tip-off at Madison Square Garden.
Honest truth? It’s gonna be a tough one. The Suns have been clinical this season, and the Knicks are hobbling. If you're planning to watch, you'll find the broadcast on MSG Network for local fans and NBA TV for the national audience.
The Jalen Brunson injury cloud
You can't talk about the Knicks right now without mentioning the massive void left by Jalen Brunson. He went down with a right ankle sprain during the Sacramento game on Wednesday, and the ripple effect has been felt immediately.
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When people ask what time does the knicks game start tonight, what they’re usually really asking is "Is Brunson playing?" For tomorrow’s game against Phoenix, he is officially listed as day-to-day.
- Jalen Brunson: Out/Day-to-Day (Ankle)
- Mitchell Robinson: Out (Ankle management)
- Josh Hart: Out (Long-term ankle issue)
- Landry Shamet: Questionable (Shoulder)
The loss to the Warriors yesterday (126-113) showed exactly how much this team misses their floor general. Without Brunson, the offense looks stagnant. Miles "Deuce" McBride has been playing heavy minutes—classic Tom Thibodeau style—but asking him to replicate Brunson’s 28.9 points per game is a tall order.
Looking ahead at the January schedule
If you’re trying to plan your life around the Knicks' schedule for the rest of the month, the Garden is going to be a busy place. They have a massive stretch of home games coming up that could decide their seeding in a very crowded Eastern Conference.
After the Suns game tomorrow, the Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, Jan 19, at 5:00 PM ET. That’s a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee, so don't wait until the evening to turn on the TV or you'll miss the whole thing.
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Then you’ve got the Battle of the Boroughs. The Brooklyn Nets come to town on Wednesday, Jan 21, at 7:30 PM ET. These games always have a weird energy, even if the standings don't always reflect it.
Key upcoming matchups:
- Jan 17 vs Phoenix Suns: 7:30 PM ET (MSG, NBA TV)
- Jan 19 vs Dallas Mavericks: 5:00 PM ET (MSG, NBC, Peacock)
- Jan 21 vs Brooklyn Nets: 7:30 PM ET (MSG)
- Jan 24 @ Philadelphia 76ers: 3:00 PM ET (ABC)
Where to watch and stream
If you've cut the cord, you know the struggle of finding MSG. It’s kinda a nightmare.
Right now, Fubo is your best bet for a streaming service that actually carries MSG Network locally. You can also use the MSG+ app if you want to buy games a la carte or subscribe directly. For the national games, like the one against the Sixers on the 24th, you’ll just need a standard antenna or a basic cable package for ABC.
If you’re in the city and want to watch with a crowd, places like Smithfield Hall NYC or Legends near the Garden are the go-to spots. They’ll have the sound on, which is basically a requirement for a Knicks game in January.
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Why the defense is the only hope
With the injury list looking like a CVS receipt, Coach Thibs has gone back to his bread and butter: defense.
Even in the loss to Golden State, OG Anunoby was flying around, trying to keep things respectable. Karl-Anthony Towns has been a beast on the boards, often being the only reason the Knicks aren't getting doubled up in second-chance points.
But let’s be real. You can’t win in today’s NBA by just "trying hard" on defense if you can't put up 115 points. The Knicks are currently sitting at 26-15, which is solid, but they’re sliding. This upcoming home stretch is make-or-break for their top-four aspirations in the East.
Your next steps for tomorrow's game
Since there is no game tonight, use this time to fix your setup. Check if your MSG+ subscription is still active or make sure your Fubo trial hasn't expired.
If you're heading to the Garden tomorrow for the 7:30 PM start against Phoenix, doors usually open at 6:30 PM. Given the security lines at Penn Station/MSG, give yourself at least 45 minutes to get from the street to your seat. Keep an eye on the final injury report around 5:30 PM tomorrow to see if Brunson makes a surprise return to the lineup.