Magic vs Knicks NBA matchup
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Magic forward Paolo Banchero is out with a low-grade right high ankle sprain against the Knicks.
Both teams are 0-2, so one skid ends at Madison Square Garden.
Background
The Orlando Magic and New York Knicks meet at Madison Square Garden, with both winless to start the 2026-27 season. Orlando lost to Minnesota on Friday and ranks 28th in offensive rating; the Knicks lost at home to Philadelphia and on the road to Boston, and rank last in points per game. New York is the first defending champion to start 0-2 since the 2011-12 Mavericks. Orlando forward Paolo Banchero, out with a low-grade right high ankle sprain, is the biggest absence.
How it unfolded
- Dec 13, 2025In the teams' last meeting, an NBA Cup game, the Knicks beat the Magic 132-120; Jalen Brunson scored 40 and Banchero 25.
- Oct 24, 2026ESPN published a preview for the game with both teams at 0-2.
- Oct 25, 2026The Magic visit the Knicks at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, with New York a 7.5-point favorite.
- Oct 25, 2026Banchero was ruled out with a low-grade right high ankle sprain suffered in the first half against Minnesota; the team said he will undergo further testing.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- A 95.7 WDAE computer model predicts a Knicks 115-105 win and picks New York on the moneyline, against the spread and on the Under.
- Analysts
- Action Network's best bet is Jalen Suggs Under 5.5 assists, with its projection at 3.89 assists.
- Analysts
- Sports Illustrated notes the Knicks moved to 7.5-point favorites with Banchero out and puts little stock in New York's losses to Philadelphia and Boston.
- Analysts
- Posting and Toasting cites ESPN.com favoring the Knicks at 69% and a projected 12-point New York win.
Still unverified
Banchero's absence length is reported inconsistently: one source says several weeks, another says four to six weeks. Anthony Black (ankle), Jose Alvarado (ankle), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Izaiyah Nelson (ankle) are listed as day-to-day or questionable.