Tonight, the New York Knicks (48*-26) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (58-16) at Paycom Center. This matchup tests whether New York can hang with the reigning champs or are just part-time sluggers. The Knicks dropped their seven-game win streak Thursday night in Charlotte, falling 114-103, while the Thunder keeps rolling at home with the best record in basketball.

The teams last met on March 4 in New York, where the Thunder won 103-100. Chet Holmgren dropped 28 points with eight rebounds and six threes, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and eight assists. Jalen Brunson (15 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (17-17 double-double) kept the Knicks close, but Oklahoma City’s timely stops and spacing made the difference in the final minutes.

The Okies have the league’s best defensive rating and seventh offensive. They’re fifth for points per game with 118.8. OKC is an average shooting team beyond the perimeter, but they clean up inside the arc. This is a switch-heavy, multi-positional team that plays fast when it wants and grinds when needed.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 31.3 points and 6.6 assists, getting to his spots with crafty mid-range play and leading the league in phantom fouls. Chet Holmgren puts up 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds while stretching the floor at 35%from three and anchoring the paint. Jalen Williams delivers two-way production as a 17 PPG scorer and sticky defender. Luguentz Dort brings physical wing defense and spot-up shooting, and Cason Wallace adds elite perimeter D and secondary playmaking.

Holmgren is a game-time decision with a hip issue. If he sits, expect OAKAAKUYOAK Isaiah Hartenstein to get the starting nod. The Knicks’ injury report still lists Landry Shamet (right knee contusion) as OUT, but Miles McBride has been upgraded to questionable.

ESPN gives the Knicks roughly a 37% win probability here. We thought so. In the last matchup, the Hicks were in the driver’s seat for most of the game, but the Knicks hung in there despite falling behind by 15. Tonight, the Thunder could pull away in the second half if they exploit switches and get out in transition. For the Knicks to stay competitive, Brunson needs to draw fouls and create for his teammates, their bigs have to win the rebounding battle, and their defense must contest threes and mid-range buckets from Gilgeous-Alexander. Force half-court play, protect the paint, and make the home team work for everything…still lose by two, but do it with dignity!

Who: New York Knicks (48*-26) at Oklahoma City Thunder (58-16)
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Paycom Center, OKC, OK
TV: NBC
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cups don’t believe the hype.