Can the Knicks Pick Up a Win Against the Magic in the 2025-2026 NBA Season?
The New York Knicks picked up a satisfying home win over the Utah Jazz on Friday night. New York went on a 23-0 run to start the game, scored 40+ points in the first and third quarters, and scored 146 points to pick up their biggest win of the season. The Knicks will continue their three-game home stand with another matchup with the Orlando Magic. During their first two encounters this season, New York failed to pick up a win and will aim for victory in their final matchup this season against Orlando. Coincidentally, the Magic ended the Knicks’ undefeated streak at home on November 12th, then New York lost in their second encounter with the Magic in Orlando on November 22nd. Can the Knicks pick up a third win in a row Sunday at noon EST?
With both teams at almost full strength, Sunday’s matchup should be competitive. Paolo Banchero just made his first appearance this past Friday night after missing the last 11 games for Orlando since suffering a left groin strain in the Magic’s second matchup against the Knicks. OG Anunoby has missed the last 10 games for New York and played his first game back in the starting rotation against the Jazz. Both Banchero and Anunoby are potential all-stars this season who help impact their teams on both the offensive and defensive ends, and they will certainly end up playing a significant part in this matchup. Even if Banchero struggles, the Magic still have guys like Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, and Anthony Black that could play a part in Orlando’s offensive scheme. Same thing with the Knicks, if Anunoby struggles in his second game back with the team, New York has key pieces such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Miles McBride.
During their first two matchups, the Magic scored 120+ points, and it seems very likely they will again, knowing Wagner has played at such a high level in their first two meetings. This means everyone on the Knicks team who gets minutes must play their part and create an offensive onslaught while also holding it down on the defensive end. While that’s easier said than done, New York has done this in their past two games. Granted, they played against two middle-of-the-pack teams in the Charlotte Hornets and the Jazz. If the Knicks can actually play on both ends of the ball against a solid team like the Magic, they could feel confident enough to overtake the Eastern Conference. For New York, Tuesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors is a Quarterfinals match for the NBA Cup. They must walk into that game, knowing they can overcome any obstacle this season. That starts with defeating a team that has beaten them twice already this year.
New York will be without Landry Shamet, who is out with a right shoulder sprain. There are still no reports on whether Moritz Wagner will play his first NBA game this season since suffering a torn ACL last season. While Shamet and Mo Wagner are still huge pieces to their team, both being out won’t break these teams, as this matchup will still be a good one. The Knicks should look to keep the same game plan they had against the Jazz and have a huge offensive outburst. Will the Magic sweep the Knicks in the regular season, or will the Knicks take some revenge in this Sunday afternoon matchup?
