It’s Christmas for basketball followers in August.
The NBA launched the complete 2024-25 schedule Thursday.
Listed below are 5 takeaways on the Knicks’ slate:
A difficult begin
The schedule makers did the Knicks no favors early on.
Seven of their first 10 video games are on the street, beginning with opening night time in opposition to the defending champion Celtics on Oct. 22.
It features a four-game, four-city street journey that begins in Miami in opposition to the Warmth on Oct. 30 and wraps up in Atlanta in opposition to the Hawks on Nov. 6.
In all, of the ten groups the Knicks face to begin the season, solely two are groups that didn’t attain the postseason final yr.
Not simple in any respect.
Throw in the truth that three key Knicks — Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle — are coming off surgical procedure, and a sluggish begin appears doable.
Reunions
The Knicks will see outdated pal Isaiah Hartenstein on Jan. 3 in Oklahoma Metropolis, and he’ll undoubtedly obtain a heat welcome when the Thunder come to the Backyard per week later.
It might be bittersweet if Mitchell Robinson is unable to remain wholesome.
The Knicks don’t have a real backup middle.
New Knick Mikal Bridges will reunite together with his outdated Nets teammates in back-to-back video games at MSG on Nov. 15 and 17 and return to Barclays Heart on Jan. 21.
Don’t count on Bridges to obtain a harsh greeting — the world will doubtless be filled with Knicks followers.
January at house
The Knicks have a gentle month of January that can largely be performed on the Backyard.
Of their 15 video games, 11 will likely be there, highlighted by a five-game homestand from Jan. 6-13 in opposition to the Magic, Raptors, Thunder, Bucks and Pistons.
After a two-game journey to Oklahoma Metropolis and Chicago on Jan. 3-4, they received’t depart the Northeast the remainder of January.
Daunting post-All-Star stretch
From Feb. 21 by means of Mar. 17, the Knicks have 10 video games in opposition to groups within the playoffs final yr.
There’s a five-game West Coast journey that includes video games in opposition to the Lakers, Warriors and Kings and visits to Cleveland, Boston and Memphis, as properly.
When the Knicks are house, they must deal with the 76ers and Warmth.
Nationwide highlight
The Knicks have a whopping 34 video games on nationwide tv — 10 apiece on TNT, ESPN and NBA TV, in addition to 4 extra on ABC.
They’d 25 final yr. The Lakers have probably the most with 39, adopted by the Warriors’ 36, whereas the Celtics are tied with the Knicks with 34.
