New York Knicks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction: Who Wins Possible Finals Preview?
Two of the NBA's most electric offenses collide in prime time when the New York Knicks make the trip to Oklahoma City to take on the league's best team. With the playoffs just around the corner, both squads have plenty at stake, but the backdrop here is undeniably lopsided. The Thunder have been a juggernaut all season, and the Knicks arrive in OKC fresh off a deflating 114-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets that snapped a seven-game winning streak. This is the kind of Sunday night national TV showdown that reminds you why the NBA regular season still matters, and I've got you covered with my Knicks vs Thunder prediction for Sunday night.
The biggest story heading into this game is the state of the Knicks coming off that Charlotte loss. New York had been playing its best basketball of the season during that seven-game win streak, but looked flat and disorganized in the Hornets loss, giving up 114 points to an up-and-coming opponent. Now they walk into Paycom Center to face a Thunder team that is 9-1 over its last 10 games and has the league's best record at 58-16.
On the injury front, the Knicks are dealing with two players listed on the report. Landry Shamet remains out with a right knee contusion and has been sidelined since March 20, leaving a notable hole in New York's bench shooting. The bigger news is that Miles McBride, who has been out since January 28 recovering from sports hernia surgery, has been upgraded to questionable and could potentially return for this game. His potential return would give the Knicks a legitimate ball-handler off the bench capable of generating offense and handling pressure defense, exactly what went missing in Charlotte.
For Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren is listed as out with a hip injury, and Thomas Sorber is done for the season with a knee issue. Holmgren's absence is significant given his scoring output, as he dropped 28 points against the Knicks on March 4 in the only previous meeting between these two teams this season.
That earlier meeting, a 103-100 Thunder victory in New York, showed how fine the margins are between these teams in a half-court setting. Holmgren's unavailability tonight could actually tighten this spread more than the market currently reflects.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player on the floor tonight and one of the two or three best players in the entire league. He is averaging 31.4 points per game, second in the NBA, along with 6.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Over his last 10 games, SGA has averaged 29.7 points and 7.2 assists, showing no signs of slowing down with the postseason approaching.
Ajay Mitchell has emerged as one of the more under-the-radar contributors in the league, averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season. Over the last 10 games, Mitchell has bumped his scoring average to the forefront as a reliable secondary option.
Cason Wallace brings defensive intensity, averaging 2.0 steals per game to rank among the league leaders in takeaways. His 8.6 points per game understates his impact, as he disrupts offenses and punishes ball-handlers who get careless, which is a problem for a Knicks team that has been turning it over more frequently without McBride in the lineup.
Jalen Brunson is the heartbeat of this Knicks team, ranking 9th in the NBA in scoring at 26.2 points per game with 6.7 assists. He had a hot start in Charlotte before going cold, finishing 10-for-23. He will need to be sharper and more efficient against an OKC defense that allowed just 107.7 points per game this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns is the Knicks' most important interior presence, averaging 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He ranks second in the NBA in rebounding, and over his last 10 games has hit 55.2% from the field while averaging 20.6 points and 10.6 boards. Against a Thunder team that is actually below average on the glass, Towns could be the difference-maker who keeps the Knicks competitive.
OG Anunoby has been one of the hottest Knicks players over the past month, averaging 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 threes, and 1.4 steals over his last 15 games. He brings two-way value and shooting off the wing at 38.1% from three on 2.3 attempts per game for the season. He's also shooting 48.9% from the field overall.
Stat | New York Knicks | Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|---|---|
Points Per Game | 117.0 | 118.8 |
Points Allowed Per Game | 110.5 | 107.7 |
Team Field Goal % | 48% | 48% |
Rebounds Per Game | 46.0 | 44.2 |
Assists Per Game | 27.5 | 25.5 |
The Thunder are the right side to be on in terms of the moneyline, but the 8.5-point spread is where this gets interesting. Oklahoma City has struggled to cover huge point spreads at times this season. The Knicks are a competent, ball-controlling team that keeps turnovers low, which neutralizes one of OKC's biggest weapons. New York also has a genuine advantage on the glass, ranking seventh in the league in rebounding with Towns in the middle. Holmgren's absence removes what was arguably the Thunder's most dangerous offensive option against the Knicks in the prior meeting. I'll take the points with the Knicks here.
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