Thunder Prepares for Knicks Matchup at Garden

The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a 15-game winning streak that ended with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, will face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where they have historically performed well. Both teams are vying for a strong position in the league, with the Thunder holding a 30-6 record and the Knicks at 25-13 after ending a three-game losing streak against the Toronto Raptors. Key injuries could impact the matchup, as the Thunder will be missing several players, including Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell, while the Knicks may be without Karl-Anthony Towns due to a knee issue. Isaiah Hartenstein, formerly of the Knicks, noted the unique atmosphere of playing at the Garden, where the crowd's energy can shift from cheers to boos. The game is seen as a potential preview of the NBA Finals, given both teams' strong performances this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.