Knicks Face Benchmark Games to Gauge Season

10 key matchups will reveal how New York stacks up against top NBA teams

Feb. 27, 2026 at 3:23am

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The New York Knicks returned to action after the All-Star break with 27 games left in the season. While some matchups may be duds, the team faces 10 'benchmark' games that should provide a true measure of how they stack up against the NBA's best teams as they push for the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Knicks are fighting for playoff positioning, so these upcoming games against top contenders will be crucial in determining their postseason outlook and whether they have what it takes to make a deep run.

The details

The Knicks were originally supposed to face the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, but the game was impacted by suspensions and injuries to key players on both sides. Going forward, the Knicks will face 10 games that should serve as genuine measuring sticks, as teams rarely rest players or tank this late in the season when jockeying for playoff seeding.

  • The Knicks returned to action on Thursday, February 20, 2026 after an 8-day break for the All-Star Game.
  • The Knicks have 27 games left in the regular season.

The players

Jalen Duren

A core member of the Detroit Pistons' frontcourt who was suspended and missed the game against the Knicks.

Isaiah Stewart

Another key big man for the Pistons who was suspended and missed the game against the Knicks.

Josh Hart

A Knicks player who missed an earlier matchup against the Pistons.

Landry Shamet

A Knicks player who missed an earlier matchup against the Pistons.

Karl-Anthony Towns

A Timberwolves player who missed an earlier matchup against the Knicks.

OG Anunoby

A Raptors player who missed an earlier matchup against the Knicks.

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What they’re saying

“These things always are cautionary because you simply never know, game to game, what a team is going to look like in the latter stages of an NBA season. Guys get hurt. Bad teams tank. Good teams with postseason seedings secured sit players nursing injuries or just to keep their legs fresh for the playoff rigors ahead.”

— Mike Vaccaro, Author

What’s next

The Knicks will continue their push for the playoffs, with several key matchups against top contenders in the coming weeks that will provide a true measure of where they stand.

The takeaway

These upcoming benchmark games for the Knicks will be crucial in determining their postseason outlook and whether they have the talent and resilience to make a deep playoff run. The results of these matchups against the NBA's elite will reveal a lot about the Knicks' true potential this season.