NEW YORK — A pair of NBA title contenders will face off for the first time this season in what might very well become an NBA Finals preview, and it’s happening in one of the iconic arenas in sports.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are traveling to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday, March 4, with both squads competing on the second legs of respective back-to-backs.
The Thunder currently have the best record in the NBA at 48-15 and just toppled the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday, March 3, while the Knicks took care of Toronto on Tuesday night.
Since both teams played Tuesday, the injury report hasn’t been issued, but one thing to watch will be the status of last season’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed the win against the Bulls for management of an abdominal strain.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday night’s Oklahoma City Thunder-New York Knicks game:
The MVP shows up to MSG dressed to the nines
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, similar to many teams who get hyped up to play in this iconic venue, tend to play well here. It’s the one trip Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will make here this season — barring any potential matchup in the NBA Finals.
In case this is indeed his one trip here, SGA made it count with his pre-game look.
Thunder vs. Knicks starting lineups
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luguentz Dort
Cason Wallace
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
OG Anunoby
Josh Hart
Karl-Anthony Towns
Thunder vs. Knicks injury report
After missing Tuesday night’s game against the Bulls, reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the injury report and is expected to play.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Branden Carlson, out (lower back strain)
Ajay Mitchell, out (left ankle sprain)
Thomas Sorber, out (ACL)
Nikola Topic, out (G League)
Jalen Williams, out (right hamstring strain)
New York Knicks
Pacome Dadiet, questionable (G League)
Trey Jemison III, questionable (two-way)
Dillon Jones, questionable (two-way)
Miles McBride, out (core muscle surgery)
Kevin McCullar Jr., questionable (two-way)
Mitchell Robinson, out (left ankle)
Thunder vs. Knicks odds
Spread: Thunder by 4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 222.5 (O/U -114)
Moneyline: Thunder -184, Knicks +150
How to watch Thunder vs. Knicks: TV channel, live stream
Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN, Fubo