Match Preview
The Golden State Warriors continue their five-game road trip with a highly anticipated showdown against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. Both teams arrive at this contest in contrasting form, with the Knicks riding a three-game winning streak while the Warriors seek to bounce back from a tough defeat.
The Knicks secured a thrilling 116-112 overtime victory against the Miami Heat on Sunday night, reinforcing their strong position in the Eastern Conference standings. Jalen Brunson orchestrated a late-game surge, scoring eight points in the final five minutes to force overtime before adding six more to finish with 31 points. OG Anunoby contributed 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a dominant double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Tom Thibodeau’s side has now won 13 of their last 18 games and sits third in the Eastern Conference with a 40-20 record, firmly in contention for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The Knicks’ recent form, highlighted by wins over the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat, demonstrates their growing strength as a unit.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were brought back down to earth following a five-game winning streak, suffering a 126-119 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Stephen Curry led the charge with 29 points and 13 assists, but Quentin Grimes stole the show for Philadelphia with a career-best 44 points.
Despite the loss, Golden State has been in resurgent form, fueled by the midseason acquisition of Jimmy Butler. They had previously won five straight games, marking their best run since November. Now sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference, the Warriors remain just one spot outside the automatic playoff positions.
Golden State has historically thrived at Madison Square Garden, winning nine of their last ten visits since March 2014. With Curry averaging 30 points per game since the All-Star break—including a 56-point explosion against Orlando—the Warriors will look to their star guard for another standout performance.
Team News
The Knicks will be without German center Ariel Hukporti, who is sidelined for four to six weeks with a meniscus tear. Other than that, Thibodeau has a full-strength squad at his disposal, ensuring maximum flexibility in his lineup selections.
For the Warriors, Butler’s availability remains uncertain after missing the loss to Philadelphia. Jonathan Kuminga remains out with an ankle injury suffered in early January. Curry has continued his fine form post-All-Star break and will be the key factor in Golden State’s hopes for a win.
Predicted Lineups
New York Knicks: Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Towns, Anunoby
Golden State Warriors: Podziemski, Curry, Moody, Green, Post
Prediction: Golden State Warriors to Win by 10 Points
Golden State’s recent dominance at Madison Square Garden, combined with their strong form since Butler’s arrival, makes them slight favorites. While the Knicks pose a formidable challenge, the Warriors' firepower and Curry’s red-hot form could be the difference. Expect a tightly contested game, but the Warriors should edge this one to get back to winning ways.
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