The Charlotte Hornets head to the Big Apple tonight to take on the New York Knicks in their final preseason matchup at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown has said he wants to get his starters on the court tonight, but several key players are game-time decisions — including Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson. Josh Hart and Ariel Hukporti are also questionable, while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges are expected to see action alongside Landry Shamet and Miles McBride.
Brown has used the preseason to test rotations built around the Towns–Robinson frontcourt, though that duo may rest again as the team focuses on health heading into the regular season.
For Charlotte, this game is another chance to evaluate the progress of its young core after a developmental preseason. The Hornets enter the night with a renewed sense of optimism despite a rebuilding phase that saw them finish 19–63 last year.
LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller have looked sharp, and rookie Kon Knueppel gives Charlotte another floor spacer and secondary playmaker. The Hornets recently trimmed their roster, waiving Spencer Dinwiddie to lock in a more balanced rotation.
The focus for head coach Charles Lee has been establishing defensive identity and ball movement — two areas that plagued Charlotte last season. The Hornets have leaned into a faster tempo built around Ball’s playmaking and Miller’s shooting, showing greater cohesion even in losses.
How to Watch Hornets vs. Knicks
Tip-off for tonight’s Hornets vs. Knicks game is set for 7:30 PM Eastern at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The game airs locally on MSG.
Out-of-market viewers can stream the matchup on NBA League Pass, available for $16.99/month or $109.99 for the full season when purchased directly from the NBA website.
Amazon Prime Video offers some discounts as well as ways to watch for free here. League Pass subscriptions start at $12.74 for the first two months on Amazon (then $16.99/month) — and that includes NBA TV.
Fans can also choose a Team Pass to follow one team’s games for $13.99 per month — or watch tonight’s game free with a 7-day trial.
Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City
TV: MSG
Streaming: NBA League Pass (out-of-market), Gotham Sports