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Washington Wizards at New York Knicks

Thu Oct 87:30 PM ETNBA TVNew York, NY
By JR·2 min read
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Knicks(0-0)
Thursday 10/087:30 PM

TLDR: The Knicks raise their first title banner since 1973 later this month. Before that, the Wizards come to Madison Square Garden on Thursday, October 8 to start their preseason against the champs.

THU OCT 8, 7:30 PMNBA TV
Wizards
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Knicks
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The Wizards start their preseason at Madison Square Garden against the reigning-champion Knicks, who lost their opener 120-97 in Philadelphia while giving most of the minutes to reserves. Mike Brown plans to limit his starters all preseason, so the game will mostly be about the Knicks' bench battle for a final roster spot and AJ Dybantsa's first NBA action for Washington. Alex Sarr's status and Khris Middleton's ramp-up are the Wizards' main health questions.

Washington Wizards
  • AJ Dybantsa's first look against NBA competition
  • Sarr back in full-contact 5-on-5 work
  • Knicks starters are expected to play light minutes
  • Vukcevic (hip) and Watkins (ACL) both out
  • Middleton still ramping up and not in uniform at the scrimmage
  • First exhibition after only 1 internal scrimmage
New York Knicks
  • Reigning champs with continuity across the roster
  • Non-guaranteed veterans playing for a roster spot
  • Already have 1 preseason game of rust off

Don't expect a Finals rematch atmosphere. Mike Brown has said he'll bring his starters along slowly this preseason and save their heaviest work for the last exhibition. New York had the shortest summer in the league after the title run, so most of the minutes go to the reserves and to 5 veterans on non-guaranteed deals who are fighting for what looks like 1 open roster spot. That's the game to watch on the New York side. It isn't about the stars.

We already saw how that went. In Monday's opener in Philadelphia, the Sixers sat LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Anfernee Simons and still beat the Knicks 120-97. Jaylen Brown needed 15 minutes for 22 points, and Philly won the 2nd quarter 39-26 while New York's bench never got back into it. Brown has a few names to sort through before this one, and Mohamed Diawara is near the top of the list. The coach has publicly challenged the second-year swingman to take a step forward this season.

Washington plays its first exhibition here, and the night revolves around AJ Dybantsa. The lottery pick gets his first NBA minutes that count for anything at the Garden, and the Wizards are calling this a season of growth after more than a few years of losing. Brian Keefe's group held its first internal scrimmage over the weekend, so Thursday is the first real look at what this roster is.

The frontcourt health is the part to watch for Washington. Alex Sarr sat out that scrimmage as planned, but he told reporters he did full-contact 5-on-5 work in Monday's practice. He's still listed day-to-day, and the Wizards have no reason to rush him into a preseason game in New York. Tristan Vukcevic won't play because of a hip injury and will be re-evaluated in 4 weeks. Jamir Watkins is out after surgery for a torn ACL.

Khris Middleton is the other one to monitor. Keefe said earlier in camp that the veteran was ramping up, and Middleton wasn't in uniform after the scrimmage. If he and Sarr both sit, Washington's rotation is very young, and that's probably the point.

Tipoff is 7:30 PM ET. This is a short Wizards trip before they play the Pistons and Nets at home, and it's the Knicks' 2nd tune-up. Watch the young players on both benches. The final score won't tell you much.

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks — Wizards Open Preseason at the Garden Against the Champs | Polymarket Odds · Barstool Bush