If you’re checking the score and wondering who won Knicks game over the last 48 hours, I hope you’re sitting down. It hasn’t been pretty. Actually, "pretty" left the building somewhere around the time the team landed on the West Coast.
The New York Knicks just wrapped up a brutal back-to-back stretch, and the scoreboard reflects a team that is currently gasping for air. On Thursday night, January 15, 2026, the Knicks fell to the Golden State Warriors 126–113. If that wasn't enough of a gut punch, it came immediately after a 112–101 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Two nights. Two losses. A lot of questions.
Honestly, the biggest story isn't even the final score—it's the massive, Jalen Brunson-sized hole in the rotation.
What Happened in the Last Knicks Game?
The Chase Center was loud, and the Warriors took full advantage of a Knicks squad that looked mentally and physically spent. Golden State walked away with the 126–113 win, but for a while, it looked like it might actually be a game.
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New York actually came out swinging. They led 35–30 after the first quarter, with Miles McBride and Mikal Bridges trying their best to fill the void. But then the second quarter happened. The Warriors started hitting those trademark soul-crushing threes, and the Knicks’ defense—which has been, let’s say, "inconsistent" lately—just couldn't keep up.
By halftime, the lead had flipped. By the fourth quarter, the Knicks were basically running on fumes.
The Stats That Matter (and the ones that hurt)
- Final Score: Warriors 126, Knicks 113.
- The Shooting Woes: New York struggled from deep, which is becoming a bit of a pattern. When the threes don't fall, this offense gets stagnant fast.
- The Efficiency Problem: In the previous game against Sacramento, the Knicks took 100 shots. 100! They took 26 more shots than the Kings and still lost by double digits. That kind of math will keep a coach up at night.
Why the Knicks are Struggling Right Now
You can't talk about who won Knicks game without talking about who wasn't in the game. Jalen Brunson is the heartbeat of this team. Period. He went down early in the Sacramento game with a right ankle sprain and didn't suit up for the Warriors matchup.
Without him, the offense looks like a car trying to drive with three wheels. Karl-Anthony Towns is doing what he can, but he's being swarmed because defenses don't fear the perimeter as much without Brunson's gravity.
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Then there’s the defense. It’s been middle-of-the-pack at best. Mike Brown is known for his defensive mind, but right now, the Knicks are letting teams score at will in the paint. Getting out-rebounded and out-worked by Sacramento’s bench—especially former Knick Precious Achiuwa, who put up 20 and 14 against his old team—is a tough pill to swallow.
What's Next for the Knicks?
The road trip from hell is finally winding down. The team is heading back to the friendly (though demanding) confines of Madison Square Garden for a three-game homestand.
Here is what the immediate future looks like:
- Saturday, Jan 17: vs. Phoenix Suns (7:30 PM ET)
- Monday, Jan 19: vs. Dallas Mavericks (5:00 PM ET)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: vs. Brooklyn Nets (7:30 PM ET)
The Suns game is the big one. Phoenix already beat the Knicks earlier this month, so this is a revenge game. But more importantly, it's about stability. The Knicks are currently 25–16. That’s still a good record, but they’ve lost seven of their last ten.
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If they don't figure out how to win without Brunson—or if he doesn't get back on the floor soon—that cushion in the standings is going to disappear.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a bettor or just a die-hard fan trying to figure out if you should tune in on Saturday, keep an eye on the injury report.
- Watch the Ankle: If Brunson is ruled "Out" early, expect the line to swing heavily toward the Suns.
- The McBride Factor: Deuce McBride is the guy to watch. He’s been thrust into a starting role and his shooting is the barometer for the team’s success right now.
- Home Court Reset: Historically, the Knicks play much better defense at MSG. Look for a much slower, more physical game against Phoenix than the track meets we saw in California.
Basically, the Knicks are in the middle of a mid-season identity crisis. They need a win, and they need it yesterday.
Check the Saturday morning shootaround reports for the final word on Brunson’s status. That’s the only stat that really matters right now.