Knicks Opening Week Preview: A Gauntlet of Familiar Rivals

Published: Friday, October 18, 2024

by Matthew Nazario

Following the pivotal 2023 season, the New York Knicks must now live up to high expectations, and they seem ready for the challenge. For the first time in years, Madison Square Garden feels like the Mecca of basketball again. A 50-win season, ending in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers, revived elite Knicks basketball and reignited the city’s passion. Despite injuries throughout the 2024 season, the resilient Knicks have set the stage for even bigger hopes this year.

The Knicks' offseason mission was clear: how to take the next step and topple the Celtics. It began with the anticipated trade for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, completing the "Nova Knicks" lineup alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo. Leon Rose and company recognized the need for a game-changing move at center, especially given Mitchell Robinson's injury history. The trade for Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns marked a significant shift, sending Julius Randle, who helped pull the Knicks out of irrelevance in 2020, to Minnesota. Now, only Robinson remains from the "We Here" 2020-2021 playoff team.

To many fans' surprise, DiVincenzo was included in the deal, partially dismantling the anticipated Nova Knicks core. Isaiah Hartenstein, a fan favorite for his hustle and grit, also left for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite these notable exits, Jalen Brunson’s emergence as the face of the franchise and the acquisitions of Bridges and Towns have Knicks fans buzzing with excitement.

The first week of play, Oct. 22-30, brings familiar foes for the Knicks, stirring memories of both triumphs and heartbreaks. Their journey toward championship glory kicks off in Boston, where they’ll face the Celtics in a storied rivalry.

 

Opening night: at Boston Celtics, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

With the world’s eyes on TD Garden for opening night, the Knicks aim to make a statement against the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics dominated their way to their first championship since 2008, advancing in five games or fewer in each of their four playoff series. Their core, built by Brad Stevens over the past five years, features Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and trade acquisition Jrue Holiday.

In addition to this trio, the Celtics' supporting cast, including veteran Al Horford and former Knicks lottery pick Kristaps Porzingis, frustrated defenses all season. Under head coach Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics ranked first in total team defense and second in total team offense last season. The Knicks struggled against Boston last season, finishing 1-4, with their only win coming in a 118-109 victory in April.

As Atlantic Division rivals, fans can expect an exciting opening night. While the Philadelphia 76ers remain a threat, this game could preview the top two teams in the Atlantic Division—and possibly the Eastern Conference Finals.

 

Game 2: vs. Indiana Pacers, Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

The Indiana Pacers, who ended the Knicks' season last year, will visit Madison Square Garden for the Knicks' second game. Last year, the Pacers surpassed expectations with a young roster—the fifth-youngest in the NBA—achieving a 47-win season and leading the league in offense. They made an unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals, taking just one game from the Celtics but remaining competitive; four games were decided by five points or less, including a heartbreaking overtime loss.

Tyrese Haliburton and trade acquisition Pascal Siakam have become New York’s public enemies No. 1 and 2 after the Pacers shot 67.1% from the field in Game 7, setting an NBA playoff record. The Pacers also boast a deep supporting cast, with contributors like Andrew Nembhard, former Knick Obi Toppin, veteran T.J. McConnell, and Aaron Nesmith all averaging double digits. Their bench depth proved crucial on nights when stars like Myles Turner or Haliburton struggled.

From Reggie Miller vs. Patrick Ewing in the '90s to Tyrese Haliburton vs. Jalen Brunson today, this game continues the Knicks-Pacers rivalry. The Garden will be electric for this highly anticipated rematch.

Game 3: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Monday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Network

After their first-round playoff showdown in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, which ended in a 4-1 series win for New York, a rivalry has emerged between the Knicks and Cavaliers. Cleveland’s 51-win season in 2022 marked their return to relevance in the Eastern Conference, but their playoff run ended when the Knicks knocked them out. In 2023, the Cavaliers finished with 47 wins and were overwhelmed by the Celtics in the second round, hindered by injuries to key players.

The Cavaliers responded by replacing head coach J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson and extending contracts for their young core—Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell—signaling their commitment to contending. Key matchups to watch in this early-season test include the battle in the paint between Karl-Anthony Towns and Jarrett Allen, and the matchup between Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, as both teams aim to prove themselves among the NBA’s elite.

 

Game 4: at Miami Heat, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. EST, MSG Network

The Knicks will face the Miami Heat on Halloween Eve, a team facing uncertainty as the season begins. The Knicks and Heat have a long history of intense matchups, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s, including multiple playoff encounters and the infamous 1997 brawl between P.J. Brown and Charlie Ward. The rivalry reignited in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs when the Heat eliminated the Knicks in six games, a loss that still resonates with New York fans. Their regular-season meeting on Jan. 27 saw Julius Randle dislocate his shoulder, ending his season and adding to the Knicks’ injury woes.

The Jimmy Butler era in Miami has featured highlights like the “Bubble Jimmy” run in 2020 and an improbable journey to the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed in 2022-23. However, five straight playoff appearances and two Finals trips without a title leave the Heat in limbo. With the Eastern Conference catching up, Miami’s future is unclear. Butler’s contract expires after this season, and there have been no signs of an extension or trade. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo signed an extension through the 2028-29 season.

The Heat’s roster lacks offensive firepower beyond Butler, Adebayo, Terry Rozier, and Tyler Herro, ranking 21st in team offense last season. However, Erik Spoelstra’s “Heat Culture” has produced top defensive teams, with Miami ranking in the NBA’s top 10 in defensive rating seven of the last eight seasons, including fifth last year. The key question remains whether Miami will extend Butler or build around Adebayo instead.

 

The Bottom Line

This is the most important opening week in New York Knicks history. The challenging lineup of opponents symbolizes the team's progress in recent years. The Cavaliers represent the Knicks' first playoff series win since 2012-13, while the rivalry with the Miami Heat adds intensity after their playoff elimination two years ago. The Pacers, who ended the Knicks' season last year, and the Boston Celtics, the team the Knicks must overcome to achieve their championship goals, complete the lineup. 

Opening week is the perfect opportunity to set the tone. Will the Knicks rank in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency again? Can Karl-Anthony Towns provide the needed stability at center? How will they compare against a steadily improving Eastern Conference? Only time will tell. However, as a lifelong fan, I sense something positive in the air. This is a special unit that has the potential to make us proud this year and for years to come.

Matthew Nazario can be reached at matthew.nazario@student.shu.edu. 

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