Updated March 4, 2026, 7:56 p.m. ET
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.
Scroll below to follow the latest live updates and analysis from Wednesday night’s Oklahoma City Thunder-New York Knicks game:
The Knicks’ plan for SGA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has started this game extremely well. He has been an efficient 4-of-7 from the floor — with no 3 pointers attempted — for 9 points. But the Knicks are closing his lanes to penetrate as soon as he attacks the paint. This is not at all dissimilar from the way other teams defend SGA, but he’s quickly getting the ball out of his hands to find open teammates.
And, if they’re not immediately open, OKC players have swung the ball around to find that open look. Gilgeous-Alexander leads all Thunder players with 5 assists.
As the Thunder have settled, they’ve also opened their biggest lead of the game, 13 points, at 44-31.
End Q1: Thunder 25, Knicks 23
In many ways, this was a quarter the Knicks should’ve lost by a lot more.
They shot just 39.1% from the floor, and All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson finished the period just 1-of-5 for 2 points. They lost the rebounding battle by four. Yet, New York overcame early shooting struggles to get key stops on the Thunder late in the first to keep things manageable.
Chet Holmgren was the star for Oklahoma City, leading all players with 14 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 9 on 4-of-5 shooting and added 2 assists.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have Mohamed Diawara to thank for this not being out of hand. He came off the bench and instantly drained a pair of 3s and also swiped the ball out of Jared McCain’s hands for a steal that led to a Landry Shamet bucket. His play seemed to invigorate the Knicks, who had six different players score at least one point in the first quarter. Diawara and OG Anunoby tied for a team-high 6 points in the period.
Knicks coach Mike Brown was also called for a technical foul after he argued a non-call on a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive, when Brown thought that Jalen Brunson had drawn a charge. Brown appeared to make like contact with the official, who only assessed the one tech.
Chet Holmgren comes out aggressive
As Oklahoma City has moved the ball around, it has often found forward Chet Holmgren, who has started the game 5-of-7 (including 4-of-6 from 3) for a game-high 14 points.
In fact, with 3:32 left to play in the period, he has outscored the Knicks entire team, which is 5-of-17.
Thunder vs. Knicks is underway
The Thunder came out strong and dictated pace, draining five of their first six field goal attempts. OKC pushed pace and moved the ball around to compromise New York’s defense, which was slow to help.
The Knicks, however, made their first shot before having their following five clank out. New York is getting quality looks, they’re just not dropping, particularly from 3; the Knicks have started the game just 1-of-6 (16.7%) from beyond the arc.
Despite that, New York is only down 17-10 midway through the period.
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
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Cason Wallace
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hartenstein
- 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
Odds according to BetMGM as of Tuesday, March 3.
- 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