Ranking 10 games Knicks fans should be amped up for in 2022-23

8. New York Knicks vs Dallas Mavericks (Dec. 3)

Certain players just make you circle the game on your calendar because they have that effect. And it’s a different proportion when you happen to be the New York Knicks. Stars want to show their A-game on the biggest stage.

It didn’t take long into his NBA career for Luka Doncic to become a household name. The European superstar has found a home in Dallas and is easily a top 10 player in the league, no matter where you rank him. I’d even vouch for top five.

And when guys with that much star status come to MSG, big things are bound to happen. I went with Luka over Giannis here, because the Greek Freak has actually struggled in games at MSG.

Antetokounmpo has gone for 33 points,19 rebounds, and 7 assists (2018), 30 points and 14 rebounds (2018), 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists (2019). Those are by far his best performances, which certainly aren’t light, but the Knicks have more often than not kept Giannis below his usual averages when he comes to town.

Here are Doncic’s best games at MSG in his young NBA career:

• Mavs at Knicks (2019): 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
• Mavs at Knicks (2021): 26 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal

Doncic has also played far fewer games at The Garden since he plays in the Western Conference. He’s also had far fewer seasons under his belt, yet that 33-point triple-double almost stands out more than any of Giannis’ top games at New York.

There’s more to this story that we’ll get to later on.