The New York Knicks (9-5) travel to face the Orlando Magic (9-7) on Saturday at the Kia Center. Orlando seeks a second win over New York this season after a 124-107 victory on November 12. The game tips off at 5 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
The Knicks head into Orlando on a five-game road swing, having improved to 1-1 with a 113-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Jalen Brunson returned from a two-game ankle injury absence to score 28 points on 11-of-23 shooting, adding three rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in 35 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds, marking his 10th straight double-double and tying him with Nikola Jokić for the league lead at 13. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart each scored 16 points, with Hart grabbing 10 rebounds, while Landry Shamet hit two key 3-pointers in the final 1:02 and drew a game-sealing charging foul. Brunson is probable with a hamstring issue, and OG Anunoby remains out with a hamstring injury.
The Magic, winners of five of their last six, dominated the LA Clippers 129-101 without Paolo Banchero, who has missed four straight games with a groin injury and will sit out Saturday. Jalen Suggs led with 23 points and seven assists, Franz Wagner added 20 points, and Tristan da Silva had 17 points and eight rebounds. Orlando has surged since starting 1-4, going 8-3 in their last 11 games while improving to ninth in offensive rating (117.4), fourth in defensive rating (108.5) and eighth in net rating (8.9). Desmond Bane has settled in, averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists over his last 11 games with a +7.1 plus-minus.
New York struggles on the road at 1-4, compared to 8-1 at home, where they rank first in offensive rating (123.8) and 11th in defensive rating (111.3). Their road numbers lag at 20th in offensive rating (112.2) and 19th in defensive rating (117.5). Season averages highlight Brunson at 28.0 points and 6.4 assists, Towns at 21.5 points and 12.8 rebounds, Wagner at 22.6 points, Suggs at 13.4 points and 4.9 assists, and Wendell Carter Jr. at 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds.