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2025-26 New York Knicks Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

by Spencer Toth - 10/8/2025

New York Knicks predictions Jalen Brunson

The New York Knicks have improved their win total in four straight seasons under Tom Thibodeau, and there are realistic expectations that they can do so again this season. The Knicks are coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season, and are running it back with a very similar core for the 2025-26 season. Most of the other Eastern Conference contenders are decimated with injuries or have serious flaws with their roster, while the Knicks come into the year with a well-rounded squad. It has been 52 long years since the Knicks last won the NBA championship. Can this be the season they finally snap that drought?

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New York Knicks Offseason Recap

The Knicks were active in the offseason, retooling their bench unit while keeping their starting five the same as last year. Depth was a major concern for New York, and they appear to have addressed that issue with their offseason moves. Their most impactful signing was Jordan Clarkson in free agency. Clarkson is a 33-year-old NBA veteran who has played for three different teams in his 11-year career. He has found success wherever he goes and has been a consistent contributor regardless of his role. He has averaged between 13 and 21 PPG in ten consecutive seasons, and that kind of spark off the bench is exactly what the Knicks have been missing. Clarkson can generate his own offense off the dribble and will provide a steady veteran presence for the young players coming off the bench. 

The Knicks also brought in Malcolm Brogdon and Guerschon Yabusele in the summer. While these aren’t household names, the pair will still have a significant role to play in the Knicks' title aspirations. New York routinely rolled out one of the best starting fives in the league over the last two seasons, but losing bench minutes cost them wins. 

Departing New York are Precious Achiuwa and Cameron Payne. Achiuwa was brought to New York as a part of the OG Anunoby trade, but never developed into a dominant big man. He was the backup center for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, but Yabusele’s arrival will fill that void. 

New York Knicks Season Expectations

The New York Knicks are expected to compete for the NBA championship this season. The Celtics and Pacers are both missing their stars, there is no chemistry in Milwaukee or Philadelphia, and the East lacks other contenders outside of the Cleveland Cavaliers. New York should have a relatively straightforward path to a top-three seed in the playoffs this season, and they could even finish as the top seed for the first time since 1993. 

 

The Knicks have the star talent they need with Jalen Brunson, and as long as he stays healthy, they will have a chance. The Clutch Player of the Year winner has delivered impactful shot after another since donning the Knicks uniform. His ability to finish with his left hand in the paint keeps defenders on their toes, but he can also punish his opponents with the deep ball. There aren’t many other pure scorers of Brunson’s archetype left in the league, and the Knicks front office is confident he is the right man to lead the charge this season. 

What makes New York so dangerous isn’t Brunson alone, but rather the balanced scoring between their starting five. Towns has already proven he can be the number one option on any team, and wasn’t far behind Brunson with 24.4 PPG. Mikal Bridges cost the Knicks five first-round picks, but his consistent availability (he hasn’t missed a game since high school) combined with his mid-range scoring, makes him a constant threat. OG Anunoby’s defense is why he is paid what he is, but the development of his offensive game has been a pleasant surprise. Rounding out the starting five is Josh Hart, who is the glue of this team. Hart does it all on both ends of the court and gives 100% effort 100% of the time. His lingering hand injury is a serious concern, but if anyone will play through it, it’s Josh Hart. All five starters averaged at least 13.6 PPG and 1.1 three-point shots made last season. If anyone has an off night, the rest of the Knicks are there to pick up the slack. 

New York Knicks Schedule Breakdown

The Knicks have the most nationally televised games this season with 34, and they kick off the season with a pair of games against the Cavaliers and Celtics at Madison Square Garden. In fact, 11 of their first 14 games are in the Big Apple, which will give New York a platform to compete for the East’s top seed. A Christmas Day home game at noon against the Cavaliers is another highlight, which breaks up a sequence of road games throughout the holiday period. 

New York Knicks Odds

The Knicks come into the new season with a win total of 52.5, which would eclipse their best mark under Thibodeau. Three seasons of 47, 50, and 51 wins show the Knicks are knocking on the doorstep, and the oddsmakers expect them to be able to take advantage of weak Eastern Conference opposition. They trail only the Cavaliers (+100) for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and still have juicy +250 odds to finish with the best regular-season record in the East. They are also -6000 favorites to reach the NBA playoffs, and have lengthy +750 odds to slip into the play-in tournament. 

 

Looking at the postseason, the expectations are high in New York. The Knicks have the second-best odds to win the East with +360 odds, and +1000 odds to win the NBA Finals. In the NBA Cup, the Knicks have a winnable group with the Bucks, Heat, Bulls, and Hornets. They are -125 favorites to top that group, and have +550 odds to win the NBA Cup, trailing only the OKC Thunder. 

2025-26 New York Knicks Season Predictions and Best Bets

The Knicks will thrive this season. They finally have the depth needed to survive an 82-game season, and Thibodeau will hopefully not need 35+ minutes per night from his starters. Twenty-five players averaged 35+ minutes per game last season, and all five of the Knicks starters made the list. A small reduction in minutes will go a long way for this team’s health, and I expect them to finish with a 54-28 record this season. The first bet will be Over 52.5 wins for the Knicks, but the best bet you can make is in the NBA Cup.

First of all, winning their group shouldn’t be a problem. They play the Bucks and Heat at home, both of which should be wins, and the Bulls and Hornets on the road. A 4-0 record is very reasonable, and they may even win the group at 3-1 if they get a solid point differential. We will only have to wait until the end of November for the -125 payout, making these short odds worthwhile over a season-long future. The second, and more lucrative pick to make is for New York to win the NBA Cup at +550. The East is wide open, and New York will still be fresh and ready to go in the early stage of the season. I don’t trust Thibodeau to rotate his players enough to target New York in the playoffs, and that is a bet we can make further down the road. An NBA Cup win isn’t what this fan base has been craving, but it would still be a meaningful step forward for this franchise. 

Pick: Knicks Over 52.5 Wins -110

Pick: Knicks to Win NBA Cup East Group C -125

Top Pick: Knicks to Win the NBA Cup +550

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