Not so fun fact: the Knicks are the first defending champion to start 0-2 since the 2011-12 Mavericks. They’ll try to get on track Sunday when they host the equally winless Orlando Magic.
After losses to a retooled Philly squad and the Tatum-led Celtics, the Knicks finally face a seemingly beatable opponent. Orlando will be without Paolo Banchero, sidelined for several weeks with a high ankle sprain. His absence weakens the Magic’s frontcourt, giving a Knicks team with its own frontcourt concerns an apparent advantage.
The last time these teams met was December 13, 2025, in the NBA Cup. The Knicks won 132-120. Jalen Brunson scored 40, Karl-Anthony Towns added 29, and OG Anunoby had 24. Jalen Suggs led Orlando with 26 and Banchero scored 25. New York controlled the game after finding their footing in the second half.
Freshman coach Sean Sweeney still seeks his first win to step out of Jamahl Mosely’s shadow. His club is averaging 109 points and allowing 123.5 through two games, and the defense that carried them last season has not yet shown up. Without Banchero, more of the load will need to be shouldered by Wendell Carter, Jr., Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Suggs.
Wagner can still hurt New York with size and scoring bursts. Bane provides the shooting and secondary creation. Carter anchors the interior and crashes the glass. Suggs brings defensive energy and little spurts of scoring. Tristan da Silva, in his third year, will likely step into the starting group with Banchero sidelined.
The strategy for this tilt: harass the Fightin’ Disneys into turnovers and convert them into points; smash the glass; and plead with Mikal Bridges to make some shots. He’s 2-of-16 through two games which made him unplayable down the stretch in Boston.
The early season struggles have been more about execution than talent. The World Champions have looked sluggish so far. Brunson has not found his usual rhythm, and the offense has stalled in stretches. Miles McBride gave them a spark off the bench against Boston; they’ll need that kind of energy again if they continue to get blanks from their starting shooting guard. Towns stayed out of foul trouble in the last game, which helped.
Jose Alvarado is questionable with an ankle sprain for the good guys. Orlando is without Banchero (ankle), Jonathan Isaac (knee), Noah Penda (hamstring), and Izaiyah Nelson (ankle). Anthony Black is day-to-day with an ankle issue.
Both teams are coming off Friday losses with a day of rest. ESPN.com likes the Knicks at 69% percent, and so do we. Prediction: New York finally gets in the win column with a 12-point victory.
Who: New York Knicks (0-2) vs Orlando Magic (0-2)
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: 7 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC
TV: NBA League Pass
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
