New York Knicks vs Golden State Warriors – Preview & Prediction (Mar. 15, 2026)  

The New York Knicks have experienced quite a few ups and downs this season, but overall they can be satisfied with what they have achieved so far. They won the NBA Cup and currently hold third place in the Eastern Conference with a 43-25 record. Second-placed Boston Celtics have two fewer losses, while fourth-placed Cleveland Cavaliers have just one more loss than the Knicks, making it clear that the battle for second to fourth place in the East will continue until the end of the season.

The Knicks enter this matchup in good spirits, having bounced back after two consecutive losses in Los Angeles – first to the Lakers and then to the Clippers – by winning their next two games. They defeated the Utah Jazz on the road 134-117 and then beat the Indiana Pacers 101-92 in another away game. In their next few games, the Knicks have a favorable schedule, which could allow them to build a longer winning streak. Against the Pacers, the Knicks opened the game well, holding a double-digit lead at halftime (56-45). However, they had a serious drop in the third quarter, allowing the Pacers to fully return to the game. They managed to stay composed until the end and did not panic when the Pacers got within two points with just three minutes remaining. A 7-0 mini-run by OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges helped them repel the home team’s attack and secure the win. Jalen Brunson was the top scorer for the Knicks with 29 points and nine assists. OG Anunoby also played an excellent game, scoring 25 points while adding eight rebounds and five assists. Mitchell Robinson deserves praise as well, contributing 12 points and grabbing 22 rebounds, effectively compensating for Karl-Anthony Towns’ absence. This season, the Knicks’ leading scorer is Jalen Brunson with 26.2 points per game, followed by Towns with exactly 20. From a team perspective, the Knicks have the third-best offensive rating in the league with 120.1 points per 100 possessions, and defensively, they are solid, currently sixth with 113.5 points allowed per 100 possessions.

The Golden State Warriors’ season has been heavily shaped by injuries. Jimmy Butler suffered a severe knee injury at the end of January, ending his season, and Stephen Curry has also struggled with a knee issue, although less serious. Curry has not played since January 31. Clearly, this duo is crucial for the Warriors, and without them, the team struggles significantly. However, they have built up a cushion of wins and are unlikely to miss the play-in entirely. They currently sit ninth in the standings with a 32-34 record.

The Warriors will aim to reach the eighth seed to have two chances in the play-in tournament. However, this will not be easy, as the Los Angeles Clippers, who are ahead of them, have seven wins in their last eight games, while the Warriors are in poor form, with only one win in their last seven matches. They are on a four-game losing streak, with the latest loss coming at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who defeated them 127-117. The Timberwolves effectively decided the outcome in the first half, leading 69-48. The Warriors tried to mount a comeback in the second half and played much better, but the deficit was simply too large, allowing the Timberwolves to win comfortably. Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 25 points and ten rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points. This was only Porzingis’ fourth game with the Warriors, and his return could be crucial for the remainder of the season. Porzingis himself has stated that he is fully ready, and he is expected to make a significant contribution in the final stretch. Besides these two, Gui Santos scored 17 points, while De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton each added 12. Among the currently healthy players available, the top scorer is De’Anthony Melton with just 13 points per game, highlighting how challenging it is for the Warriors to compensate for the absences of Curry and Butler.