The Knicks host Washington tonight, then Minnesota and a home-and-home with Toronto, four preseason games before the October 20 opener against Philadelphia. Monday's blowout loss leaves little margin for another flat half, and the center rotation needs an answer before the games start counting.
Four Games Left
Washington comes to the Garden tonight, Minnesota visits on the 12th, then a home-and-home with Toronto closes the preseason on the 13th and 15th. The Knicks have two days of rest and no back-to-back this week, a soft schedule that leaves no excuse for another sleepy half like Monday's 97-120 loss in Philadelphia. The real clock starts October 20, when New York opens the regular season at home against the 76ers on NBC and Peacock.
Washington Walks In Limping
The Wizards are 0-0 too, but last season's 17-65 finish and a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league, a 121.5 rating, said plenty about where this rebuild stands. Anthony Davis anchors it when healthy, though a 20-game season limited him. Alex Sarr, who averaged 16.3 points as a rookie big, is day-to-day with a foot issue, and both Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins are out, thinning Brian Keefe's frontcourt further. Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington give Washington two building blocks on the perimeter, but building blocks don't fix a net rating of -11.8.
Alvarado's Return
Jose Alvarado has been day-to-day with a left knee issue, and tonight is the date he was pegged to be back. His pace off the bench matters more than the score against a Washington team still sorting its own rotation.
No Letdowns Twice
After Monday's no-show in Philadelphia, Mike Brown doesn't get to wait until October 20 for sharper habits. Minnesota on the 12th and two cracks at Toronto on the 13th and 15th are the last live reps to settle rotations, especially up front, before anything counts.
Bottom Line
Preseason records don't matter. What the Knicks do with four more tries before October 20 decides whether camp's late question marks get answered or just postponed.
Is Jose Alvarado playing against the Wizards tonight?
Alvarado has been day-to-day with a left knee issue, and October 8 is the date he was targeted to return, putting him in line to play against Washington.
When do the Knicks play their first regular season game?
New York opens the regular season at home against Philadelphia on October 20, on NBC and Peacock.
