Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets tonight: start time, how to watch, and the key matchups to track

The Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets meet at Madison Square Garden tonight as New York looks to protect one of the NBA’s best home records while Charlotte tries to snap a skid and get healthier. Tip is 7:30 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. GMT; 2:30 a.m. in Cairo). Below is how to watch, expected lineups, and the stat leaders shaping CHA vs NYK.

Where to watch Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets

• In-market TV: Available on each team’s regional broadcast in the New York and Charlotte markets.

• Out-of-market streaming: Available through the league’s official subscription service.

• Radio: Local team radio affiliates carry the full game broadcast.
  Note: Availability varies by location and blackout rules; check your device’s listings shortly before tip.

Knicks vs Hornets: the state of play

• Records/trends: New York enters at 13–7 and 10–1 at home, aiming to avoid back-to-back losses after a tight defeat earlier this week. Charlotte comes in 6–15 with road struggles but fresh hope around returning guards.

• Last meeting (Nov. 26): New York won 129–101, riding hot perimeter shooting and a balanced second-half surge. Expect Charlotte to adjust coverages on dribble handoffs and trail the arc more aggressively.

Projected starters and injuries

Charlotte Hornets (CHA)

• G: LaMelo Ball — listed game-time decision but trending toward availability

• G: Nick Smith Jr.

• F: Kon Knueppel

• F: Grant Williams — out

• C: Mark Williams
  Also out: Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Pat Connaughton (medical updates fluid; statuses can change near tip).

New York Knicks (NYK)

• G: Jalen Brunson

• G: Mikal Bridges

• F: Josh Hart

• F: Karl-Anthony Towns

• C: Precious Achiuwa
  Out/monitor: Mitchell Robinson (out), OG Anunoby (out); a depth guard is listed questionable.

Labels reflect the most recent team designations; confirm at warmups.

Knicks vs Hornets match player stats (2025 season to date)

New York Knicks leaders

• Jalen Brunson, PG — ~25–27 PPG, 6–7 APG, 46–48% FG; elite in late-clock pull-ups.

• Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C — ~22–24 PPG, 8–9 RPG, 39–41% 3PT; pick-and-pop hub.

• Mikal Bridges, G/F — ~19–21 PPG, 38–40% 3PT; high-volume catch-and-shoot threat.

• Josh Hart, G/F — ~9–11 RPG from the wing; transition engine and secondary playmaker.

Charlotte Hornets leaders

• LaMelo Ball, PG — ~24–26 PPG, 7–8 APG; pace setter, deep pull-up range.

• Mark Williams, C — ~11–13 PPG, 9–10 RPG, high FG% on rim runs.

• Kon Knueppel, G/F — rookie spacer trending 37–40% 3PT; usage spikes if Ball is limited.

• Miles Bridges (if active), F — 20+ PPG profile; downhill scoring and glass work.

Ranges reflect rounding and game-to-game variance; they’re useful for matchup context rather than precise betting projections.

CHA vs NYK: three swing matchups

1. Point of attack: Ball vs Brunson
   If Ball plays, Charlotte’s half-court flow improves instantly. New York will counter by screening Brunson free early to test Charlotte’s nail help and force switches that create elbow isolations.

2. Glass control: Hart/Towns vs Mark Williams
   New York’s wings crash hard; Charlotte needs Williams to seal and guards to gang-rebound. Second-chance points decided the prior meeting.

3. Arc math: Knicks’ corners vs Hornets’ closeouts
   New York creates corner threes via empty-side actions and Spain PnR. Charlotte’s low man must tag without surrendering the drift pass; early stunt/recover discipline is critical.

Expected pace and totals

• Tempo: Moderate; New York prefers structured half-court with opportunistic early offense, while Charlotte’s pace jumps when Ball is active.

• Shot profile: Knicks lean threes + rim; Hornets need free throws and turnover points to keep contact on the road.

Quick scouting notes for fans

• If Brunson starts hot: Watch New York use “ghost” screens from Bridges to bait switches, then slip for catch-and-shoot 3s.

• If Ball is limited: Charlotte may tilt toward more Snug PnR and elbow handoffs to free Knueppel and wing cutters.

• Bench watch: New York’s second unit staggers a high-usage scorer to anchor non-Brunson minutes; Charlotte will need immediate on-ball juice from reserves to avoid third-quarter droughts.

How the Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets could be decided

• Turnovers: Charlotte’s best path is live-ball turnovers leading to runouts; New York’s worst nights come when ball pressure disrupts their rhythm.

• Rebounding margin: If the Knicks own the offensive glass, Charlotte’s margin for error vanishes.

• Corner 3s vs free throws: New York’s corner volume versus Charlotte’s whistle rate will tell you the math battle by halftime.

The Knicks are favored at home, but Charlotte’s chances rise sharply if LaMelo Ball is active and effective. If New York controls the boards and keeps turnover rate low, the Garden’s home streak is likely to stand.