Knicks Look to Avoid Sweep Against Thunder

New York visits Oklahoma City in the final regular season matchup between the two teams.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:50am

A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors.The Knicks and Thunder clash in a pivotal interconference matchup, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning.NYC Today

The New York Knicks (49-26) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (58-16) on Sunday night, as Oklahoma City looks to complete the season series sweep after winning the first matchup 103-100 earlier this month. The Knicks are coming off a frustrating loss to the Charlotte Hornets, while the Thunder have won nine of their last ten games and sit atop the Western Conference standings.

Why it matters

This interconference clash carries heavy playoff implications as both squads jockey for premium seeding. The Knicks will look to avoid consecutive losses and pull off a tough road win, while the Thunder aim to continue their dominant home form and secure the season series sweep.

The details

In the previous meeting, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were the difference-makers for the Thunder. Holmgren poured in a team-high 28 points, including six three-pointers, while Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense. The Knicks will look to pressure Gilgeous-Alexander on the perimeter and force the ball out of his hands, while also relying on the frontcourt production of Karl-Anthony Towns to exploit the Thunder's interior length.

  • The Knicks and Thunder conclude their season series on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Thunder won the first matchup between the two teams 103-100 earlier this month.

The players

Chet Holmgren

A key player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Holmgren scored a team-high 28 points in the previous matchup against the Knicks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The orchestrator of the Thunder's offense, Gilgeous-Alexander will be a focus for the Knicks' defense in this game.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' frontcourt leader, Towns will look to exploit the Thunder's interior length and improve on his shooting efficiency from the previous meeting.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' point guard, Brunson will be crucial in dictating the tempo and keeping the game within striking distance for New York.

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What’s next

The Knicks will look to bounce back from their loss to the Hornets and avoid being swept by the Thunder, while Oklahoma City aims to continue their dominant home form and secure the season series.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Knicks and Thunder carries significant playoff implications, as both teams jockey for prime positioning in their respective conferences. The Knicks' ability to pressure Gilgeous-Alexander and exploit the Thunder's interior will be key, while Oklahoma City's balanced attack and home-court advantage make them a formidable opponent.