New York Knicks vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview: Can the Knicks Keep Rolling?

Kimberly McClary
New York Knicks look to keep rolling against the New Orleans Pelicans

The New York Knicks will square off against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight March 24, 2026, in Madison Square Garden before they hit the road again. Currently on a six-game winning streak, they will look to keep rolling against a strong Pelicans team who is still in the hunt for the playoffs. In their last meeting, the Knicks took the victory 130-125. Both stars from each team had an amazing night, and more of the same will be expected in tonight’s matchup in New York.

New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Game Details

Date:  March 24, 2026

Time:  7:30PM EDT

Location:  Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, NY

TV/Streaming:  MSG Network, Gulf Coast Sports, NBA League Pass/ Fubo

Odds: Spread: New York Knicks -8.5 or 9.0; Moneyline: New York Knicks -350 to -385/New Orleans Pelicans +280 to +310; O/U: 231.5 to 247.5

Team Form & Recent Results

New York Knicks Form (47-25)

  • Won five of their last five games, currently on a six-game winning streak. Won their last matchup against the Washington Wizards on March 22, 2026, 145-113.
  • Currently ranked as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference driven by a high-octane offense that balances star power with elite role players.
  • Strengths: elite offensive efficiency, star 1-2 punch in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, ball movement and care, dominant third quarters
  • Weaknesses: vulnerability to elite guards, three-point defense, bench scoring gap, first-half defensive lapses, interior reliance
  • Injuries: Miles McBride-Out for the Season (sports hernia); Landry Shamet-Out (right knee tibial plateau contusion)

New Orleans Pelicans Form (25-47)

  • Winning three of their last five games, they were on a three-game winning streak before blowing a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in their last matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 21, 2026, 111-106.
  • In their last five games, they have shown a high-scoring ceiling but continued to struggle with defensive consistency and late-game execution.
  • Strengths: high-volume scoring, perimeter firepower, rebounding dominance, home court advantage
  • Weaknesses: fourth quarter collapses, vulnerability to three-point barrages, defensive rating, free throw inconsistency
  • Injuries: Bryce McGowens-Out (right small toe fracture)

Key Players to Watch

New York Knicks

This game will carry a critical matchup between Towns and Zion Williamson, as Towns leads the Knicks in rebounding (12.0 RPG) and provides top-notch floor spacing. As the guard in the Knicks star-power duo, expect Brunson to remain the catalyst as he posted 20 points in their most recent outing. 

OG Anunoby has been a defensive anchor for the Knicks, and will likely spend the night tasked with containing Williamson. He has been extremely efficient as of late, posting 76.3% true shooting percentage over the last five games. While Mikal Bridges is averaging nearly 2.5 made threes per game, and is a primary option in head coach Mike Brown’s “pace-and-space” attack.

Forward Josh Hart has been hyper-efficient during the Knicks current win streak with a 90.8% true shooting percentage, and has been essential in their rebounding dominance. Expect Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, and Mohammed Diawara to see more minutes with the absence of Landry Shamet. Especially Alvarado, as this is his first game against his former team since being traded at the February deadline. 

Projected Starting Lineup:

  1. Jalen Brunson (PG)
  2. Mikal Bridges (SG)
  3. Josh Hart (SF)
  4. OG Anunoby (PF)
  5. Karl-Anthony Towns (C)

New Orleans Pelicans

Williamson seems to thrive when he plays in New York. He is averaging 21.3 points on 59.8% shooting this season, and he put up 34 points and nine rebounds in his last appearance at MSG. Trey Murphy III is the Pelicans’ current leading scorer at 21.8 PPG, and is the team’s primary floor-spacer. 

Guard Dejonte Murray has averaged 18.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds since his return from injury 10 games ago. Forward Saddiq Bey has been a consistent secondary scoring threat, averaging 2.0 made threes over the last 10 games. As one of the NBA’s premier defensive players, Herbert Jones ranks in the 97th percentile for deflections, and will probably be tasked with slowing down Brunson tonight.

Projected Starting Lineup:

  1. Dejonte Murray (PG)
  2. Trey Murphy III (SG)
  3. Saddiq Bey (SF)
  4. Zion Williamson (PF)
  5. Herbert Jones (C)

Elite Offenses Against Improving Defenses

In tonight’s matchup, the Knicks’ offensive efficiency will be tested by a Pelicans’ defense that has shown significant improvement in recent months. The Pelicans’ high-octane, inside scoring offense will face off against a Knicks’ defense that has also improved significantly since mid-January.

Knicks Offense vs Pelicans Defense

Brunson is a dual-threat as a scorer and a playmaker, averaging 9.1 assists in March. Towns forces opposing centers out of the paint with his perimeter shooting, creating lanes for Brunson and Bridges. The Knicks remain one of the best rebounding teams, ranking 3rd in offensive rebounds. 

The Pelicans defense has improved to top 15 in the league since late January. They have become more discipled in their rotations, though they still struggle to defend the three-point line, allowing 14.2 made threes per game.

Pelicans Offense vs Knicks Defense

The Pelicans interim coach James Borrego continues with the pattern of revolving the offense around Williamson, who has been hot as of late, shooting 72.2% over his last seven games. As a perimeter threat, Murphy III will provide the essential floor spacing. A major weakness for the Pelicans is their fourth-quarter performance as of late, as they managed to blow a 15 point lead while only scoring 18 points. 

With Towns anchoring the center position, the Knicks have prioritized funneling drivers to the basket into contested shots. They lead the league in several rebounding categories, which will limit the Pelicans to one-and-done possessions.

Prediction

Predicted Winner: Knicks

Projected Score: Knicks 122, Wizards 109

Win Probability: Analytical models give the Knicks a 63.7% chance of winning.

Over/Under: Between 231.5 and 247.5 points

What to Expect in Tonight’s Matchup 

Expect a high-powered matchup tonight in which both teams have had rest and are coming off high scoring bouts in their last games. A win tonight for the Knicks will put them one step closer to the Boston Celtics for the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. A win for the Pelicans will put them one step closer to a spot in the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.