The Garden is humming, but the vibes are a little tense right now. If you're wondering who do the knicks play next, get ready for a Monday matinee that feels more like a heavyweight fight. The New York Knicks are hosting the Dallas Mavericks on January 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
It’s MLK Day. The world is watching. And honestly, the Knicks kind of need this one.
Coming off a frustrating 106-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, New York is sitting at 25-17. They’re 3rd in the East, which sounds great on paper, but they've dropped a few games lately that they probably should've tucked away. Now they face Luka Dončić and a Mavs team that always seems to play their best basketball when the bright lights of Manhattan are hitting the floor.
The Immediate Outlook: Dallas Comes to Town
The Mavs matchup is the big one. It’s the "next" on the calendar, and it’s a massive test for a Knicks defense that’s been top-tier but recently looked a little gassed. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are going to have their hands full trying to contain Luka.
But here’s the real kicker: the injury report is a mess.
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Jalen Brunson missed the Suns game with that nagging right ankle sprain. He’s officially day-to-day. You know Jalen—he wants to be out there against his former team more than anyone—but the medical staff might be cautious. Without him, the offensive rhythm goes south fast. We saw it against Phoenix; the ball just didn't move the same way.
Beyond the Mavs: The Week Ahead
If you think the schedule gets easier after Monday, I’ve got bad news. It doesn't.
- Brooklyn Nets (Wednesday, Jan 21): The battle for the borough. Even when the Nets aren't "great," they treat the Knicks game like the NBA Finals. It’s back at the Garden, 7:30 PM.
- Philadelphia 76ers (Saturday, Jan 24): A road trip to Philly. This is a 3:00 PM afternoon game. Joel Embiid versus Mitchell Robinson (if Mitch is cleared for the back-to-back/injury management) is always a physical disaster in the paint.
- Sacramento Kings (Tuesday, Jan 27): Back home to face the speed of De'Aaron Fox.
It's a gauntlet. Basically, the Knicks are playing four games in nine days against teams that all have playoff aspirations or deep-seated rivalries with New York.
Why the Next Few Games Determine the Season
Leon Rose and the front office have built a roster designed for the postseason. We saw that when they won the NBA Cup back in December against the Spurs. That was a high point. Since then? It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
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Mike Brown has this team playing hard, but the depth is being tested. With Josh Hart also dealing with ankle soreness and Mitchell Robinson on a strict injury management program, the rotation is shrinking. We’re seeing a lot more of Miles "Deuce" McBride. He’s been solid, but asking him to carry the scoring load if Brunson sits is a tall order.
The East is tight. The Pistons are surprisingly leading the pack (who saw that coming in 2026?), and the Celtics are right there. The Knicks are 1.5 games behind Boston in the Atlantic Division. Every game this week matters for seeding.
Keys to Beating Dallas
To win on Monday, New York has to do three things. First, they need to dominate the glass. Karl-Anthony Towns needs to be aggressive. He had a 18-rebound game earlier this season, and they need that version of him to limit Dallas’s second-chance points.
Second, the perimeter defense has to be perfect. If you let Luka get into a rhythm where he’s hitting step-back threes and finding open shooters, it’s over.
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Third? Someone else has to score. If Brunson is out, Bridges has to be a 25-point guy, not just a defensive stopper.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning on catching the action or following the team this week, here’s how to stay ahead:
- Check the 4:30 PM Injury Report: For the Mavs game, the official NBA injury report usually drops its most accurate update about 30 minutes before tip-off. Watch Brunson’s status closely.
- Tune in to MSG Network: If you’re local, Mike Breen and Walt "Clyde" Frazier are still the gold standard. National fans can catch the Mavs game on NBC/Peacock since it's a holiday broadcast.
- Watch the Standings: Keep an eye on the Toronto Raptors. They are currently only one game behind the Knicks for that 3rd spot. A loss Monday could result in a swap in the standings by Tuesday morning.
The Knicks are in the thick of it. The next two weeks will tell us if this team is a true contender or if that NBA Cup win was just a flash in the pan. Grab your coffee for that 5:00 PM start on Monday—it’s going to be a wild one at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza.