Answering 5 burning questions about Knicks’ 2023-24 schedule
By James Ryder
![May 12, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) brings the ball up the court as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) defends in the first half during game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports May 12, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) brings the ball up the court as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) defends in the first half during game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c041d6f72baa2ed9a38c3b00623a4c1badbcd95b7c0badd1401e2ae90d171b71.jpg)
What is the most challenging part of the Knicks’ schedule?
Surprisingly, I didn’t find many parts of the schedule very concerning. Regardless of if you look at any five-game sampling or any 10-game sampling, for the most part, there is usually a pretty good balance between tough opponents and beatable ones.
However, there are two 10-game stretches that will undoubtedly be tough. From December 11 to December 29, New York plays the following teams: Toronto, Utah, Phoenix, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Milwaukee again, Oklahoma City, and Orlando. That’s 10 games in 19 days. Seven are on the road, and four are against contenders, but there are no back-to-backs.
Then, there are the first 10 games of the season. In order, New York will play Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, Cleveland, Cleveland again, Milwaukee, LA Clippers, San Antonio, Charlotte, and Boston again. That’s once again 10 games in 19 days, but this time the Knicks will have back-to-back games THREE times. That’s a potentially brutal start to the year.
From October 25 to November 13, New York will face three contenders and play four road games in seven days. They will have a nice breather when playing the Spurs, followed by the Hornets over five days, but they’ll have to face the mighty Cavaliers twice, the Bucks, and the Clippers in that order over seven days.
No team wants their season to get off to a bad start. Unfortunately for the Knicks, their most challenging patch of games will be showing up right away. And to make things worse, these 10 games lead them into an immediate five-game road trip. The start of 2023-24 will be interesting, to say the least.