The New York Knicks are set to host the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, April 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EST, as they look to extend their winning streak to three games. Riding high after a two-game winning streak, the Knicks have won six of their last ten games and are eager to capitalize on a struggling 76ers team that has lost eight straight games and nine of their last ten contests. However, the Knicks face a challenging situation as they may be without two of their key players.
Star guard Jalen Brunson has already been ruled out due to an ankle sprain that has sidelined him since March 6. Adding to the Knicks' woes, center Karl-Anthony Towns has been listed as questionable for the matchup due to left knee soreness. Towns last missed a game on March 4 against the Golden State Warriors, a game the Knicks lost 114-102. If Towns is unable to play, Mitchell Robinson is expected to take his place in the starting lineup, while Precious Achiuwa will likely see an increased role off the bench.
In addition to Brunson and potentially Towns, the Knicks will also be without Miles McBride, who is dealing with a groin injury, and Cameron Payne, who has an ankle injury. This leaves the Knicks backcourt quite shorthanded as they prepare to face a depleted 76ers team.
On the other side of the court, the 76ers are grappling with their own injury issues. Philadelphia has ruled out multiple key players, including superstar Joel Embiid and All-Star Paul George, both of whom will miss the remainder of the season due to injuries. Tyrese Maxey, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Jared McCain are also out for the game, while Guerschon Yabusele and Kyle Lowry are listed as questionable. The 76ers have set an unfortunate record this season, becoming the team with the most unique starting lineups in a single NBA season, with 52 different starting fives thus far.
As the Knicks prepare for the game, they are focusing on their offensive strategy, especially in the absence of Towns and Brunson. With both players off the court, Mikal Bridges leads the Knicks with a 28.1% usage rate, while OG Anunoby closely follows with a 27.6% rate. Josh Hart is also expected to play a pivotal role, averaging 1.25 fantasy points per minute logged, making him a strong candidate for fantasy lineups.
Given the current standings, the Knicks are comfortably positioned in the third spot in the Eastern Conference, and they seem to be in a strong position to secure their playoff berth. Meanwhile, the 76ers are likely focusing on securing a top-six protected first-round pick as they navigate through this challenging season.
Fans can tune in to watch the Knicks face the 76ers tonight, hoping to see their team extend their winning streak while dealing with the challenges of injuries and a struggling opponent. With both teams facing significant hurdles, this matchup promises to be an intriguing contest as the Knicks strive to solidify their playoff positioning and the 76ers look to salvage some pride in the closing weeks of the season.
