After an incredibly successful 2020-21 season, the New York Knicks find themselves garnering attention from the NBA and mainstream media. With the 2021-22 NBA regular season schedule dropping on Friday, the Knicks have more nationally televised games this upcoming year and a bevy of prime time slots.
In fact, stretching from mid-February to early March, the team has six nationally televised games in a row. They will take on Brooklyn, Miami, Philadelphia twice, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Clippers to finish off the string of games.
Here’s a look at the full schedule the team is preparing to endure come to the start of the season in late October.
The @NBA has officially released the Knicks schedule ? pic.twitter.com/QAlXtP9BhH
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) August 20, 2021
The first game of the season comes against the Boston Celtics, who allowed Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier to depart this off-season. Both players evidently signed with New York, as they will face off against their former team at MSG. The Knicks will then take on the Orlando Magic twice, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New Orleans before making their way into November.
It is quite incredible that just one winning season for the Knicks thrust them into the national spotlight. The league was ready for the organization to finally take a step forward, and with an injection of talent this off-season, the expectation is that they will be a more well-rounded team with better scoring production.
Overall, they will make 22 appearances on national television, with 12 games on ESPN, seven on TNT, and three on ABC. They will also take on the Atlanta Hawks on Christmas day, a rematch of the postseason showdown after the Knicks secured the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Last year, the Knicks only enjoyed six nationally televised games, nearly multiplying their appearances by four this upcoming year. Luckily, they have three home games in the first four games of the season, giving them a competitive advantage. The first match-up of the year will be nationally televised on ESPN at 7:30 PM on October 20.
This is shaping up to be an exciting season for a team that desperately needs a bit more positivity and reward after remaining loyal to some of their free agents this off-season. The Knicks retained Nerlens Noel, Derrick Rose, and Alec Burks on three-year contracts. They also signed Fournier to a four-year deal and Kemba Walker to a two-year contract. With the rookies looking strong during Summer League play, all signs point toward positive growth.