Knicks at Thunder Preview: How Who to Watch As 2023 Winds Down

The New York Knicks close out the calendar year with a three-game road trip that begins against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The New York Knicks had a very Merry Christmas. Now they're looking for a happy new year. 

New York has a prime opportunity to close out an eventful calendar year on a high note with a three-game road trip, one that begins on Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A back-to-back in Orlando and Indianapolis closes things over the weekend.

The Knicks are coming off perhaps their most monumental victory of the season, topping the Milwaukee Bucks 129-122 during Monday's Christmas Day activities. It was the Knicks' first win against a top-three team in either conference and ended a nine-game losing streak against the top seed on the most recent Eastern Conference playoff bracket. It was another sterling showcase for Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-best 38 points in the win while Julius Randle had 24 and nine rebounds.

Oklahoma City is on pace for its best season in nearly a decade, spurred on by the continued efforts of young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and more. The Thunder have won six of their last eight and will engage in the second half of a back-to-back following a win on Tuesday night over Minnesota. 

This will be the first of two meetings between the Knicks and Thunder this season with a rematch at Madison Square Garden on Mar. 31. The two teams split their pair last season with each side winning on the other's home floor. New York hasn't swept Oklahoma City since 2005-06, when it was still based in Seattle.

What: New York Knicks (17-12) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (19-9)

Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

When/Watch: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: OKC -2.5

Keep An Eye On: Immanuel Quickley

Knicks fans better continue to enjoy the antics of Quickley while they still can. Interestingly enough, Quickley is giving them more to love despite a drop in minutes, averaging over five few from last year. He's averaging 16.5 points over his last four in just over 24 minutes, posting a pair of 20-tally efforts in the process. Time will tell exactly how much longer Quickley has in a Knick uniform but anyone watching is going to savor every moment.

Oklahoman to Watch: Chet Holmgren

Holmgren faces the Knicks for the first time in his career on Wednesday. The second overall pick of the 2022 draft has been as advertised after missing his rookie campaign due to injury, establishing a lasting role as the Thunder's top center. While Holmgren's advanced, multi-faceted skillsets make him dangerous, Oklahoma City's rebounding efforts has suffered in the early going: at 7.9, Holmgren is the only Oklahoman to be averaging more than six rebounds a game and the Thunder rank dead last in offensive boards allowed. Even with Mitchell Robinson still out, he'll need to be on his toes against Isaiah Hartenstein. 

They Said It

“He’s come in and I think he has a little bigger role than he thought he was going to have originally. But he’s been great being able to get in and play his style. Obviously, he’s been with (head coach Tom Thibodeau) for a long time. So he knows the system but, ability to rebound, his communicating, which is huge for us.”-Josh Hart on Taj Gibson's impact (h/t Stefan Bondy, New York Post)

Blunder vs. the Thunder: Knicks' Big Lead Struck Down

Prediction

Even with the season's relative youth, there have been several points where this Knicks season could've gone off the rails. Christmas could've been one of those dates but the Knicks pulled off a major victory, one that could create lasting momentum as they try to join the Eastern Conference's elite. There's a brilliant opportunity to end a curious if not promising year on a high note. The Knicks would be wise to take it. 

Knicks 128, Thunder 124