The New York Knicks dropped their third straight game on Saturday night, January 17, 2026, falling 106–99 to the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden. The loss pushed the Knicks to 25–17 and capped a stretch in which the team has lost eight of its last 10 games. New York played without two starters, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, both sidelined with ankle injuries.

Before the game, head coach Mike Brown addressed the status of both players and provided clarity as the Knicks prepared for a quick turnaround ahead of their MLK Day matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

Jalen Brunson Listed Day-to-Day After January 14 Injury

Brunson suffered a right ankle sprain on January 14 against the Sacramento Kings when his ankle gave out on a non-contact play five minutes into the game. He exited the contest early but walked out of the arena without crutches or a walking boot.

Before Saturday’s game against Phoenix, Brunson was upgraded to questionable. When asked if the team had concerns about the injury, Brown responded directly.

“No. He’s day to day,” Brown said, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

Mike Brown was asked tonight if there was concern about Jalen Brunson’s ankle sprain. “No. He’s day to day.” On Josh Hart, Brown said, “He’s just a little sore so we’re just going to be cautious especially this time of year.” Hart is out with right ankle soreness.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 17, 2026

This is the second time this season that Brunson has dealt with a right ankle injury. He missed two games in November with a similar issue and has now missed three straight games following the January 14 injury, sitting out contests against Golden State and Phoenix. The Knicks are 1–4 in games Brunson has missed this season.

Josh Hart Held Out as Precaution After Heavy Workload

Hart was ruled out against the Suns due to right ankle soreness. The decision followed a heavy workload earlier in the week, as Hart played both ends of a back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. The team described the absence as precautionary.

Earlier this season, Hart missed nearly three weeks and eight consecutive games after spraining the same ankle during the Knicks’ Christmas Day victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The injury occurred when he stepped on Dean Wade’s foot while driving to the basket. After returning from that absence, Hart played in three games before the soreness returned. He logged 37 minutes against Golden State on Thursday before sitting out Saturday’s loss to Phoenix.

Hart, 29, is averaging 12.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season.

Knicks–Mavericks Betting Lines Move Ahead of Monday

As Brunson and Hart remained listed as questionable for Monday’s game, sportsbooks adjusted odds toward New York due largely to Dallas’ availability issues. Action Network tracking showed the point spread moved from Dallas +5.5 at open to Dallas +10.5.

DraftKings listed the Knicks as 10.5-point favorites, FanDuel posted New York at -10, and BetMGM also set the spread at -10.5. DraftKings priced the Knicks at -440 on the moneyline, while BetMGM listed them at -425. Game totals settled between 229.5 and 230.5 points across major sportsbooks.

Dallas entered the matchup without several rotation players, including Anthony Davis (finger sprain), Kyrie Irving (knee surgery), D’Angelo Russell (illness), P.J. Washington (personal reasons), Dereck Lively II (foot surgery), and Daniel Gafford (ankle sprain).

In the player prop market, Action Network analyst Kyle Murray listed a play on Brunson’s points plus assists under 36.5 at -122 with a 1.22-unit stake.

Eastern Conference Pressure Builds at Madison Square Garden

Saturday’s loss made the Knicks’ position in the Eastern Conference standings more uncomfortable. New York is now only half a game ahead of the fourth-seeded Toronto Raptors and just 1.5 games in front of the sixth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

The game was played on Alumni Night at Madison Square Garden, and fans showed their frustration during the loss. After the game, head coach Mike Brown said the reaction showed how much the fans care and explained that it was hard on both the players and the coaching staff.

Brown also said the team’s recent struggles are tied to injuries and timing issues, not major problems with how the team is built or plays. He explained that while there is concern, the focus remains on working harder, taking responsibility, and finding ways to help the team improve, starting with himself.

Players Address Urgency Before Dallas Matchup

Following the loss, Karl-Anthony Towns spoke about the team’s mindset as it prepares for the next game.

“A lot,” Towns said when asked about his frustration level. “I don’t like losing any games, so of course, for me, the concern is winning the next one. Just staying focused on the task at hand, winning games, and giving our fans something to cheer for.”

The Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday afternoon in a nationally televised game on NBC and Peacock. Dallas enters the contest at 17–26 and continues to adjust after trading Luka Dončić. Rookie Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain and could make his Madison Square Garden debut. Flagg missed the last two games and did not play in the team’s previous meeting on November 19 in Dallas, a 113–111 Knicks win.

The New York Giants announced Saturday that John Harbaugh has agreed to a five-year contract to become the franchise’s next head coach. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the deal will pay Harbaugh $20 million per season, placing the total value near $100 million and ranking him among the NFL’s highest-paid coaches.

Harbaugh, 63, accepted the Giants’ offer earlier this week after days of meetings and negotiations with team ownership. Speaking with Schefter, he addressed the meaning of the opportunity.

“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said. “I’m proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families. But most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together.”

Harbaugh’s Departure From Baltimore Follows Missed Playoffs

Harbaugh joins the Giants after spending 18 seasons as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. During his tenure, he compiled a 180-113 regular-season record, won a Super Bowl, led the team to the playoffs 12 times, produced 11 seasons with double-digit wins, and captured six AFC North titles.

The Ravens fired Harbaugh last week after missing the postseason. Baltimore entered Week 18 with a win-or-go-home opportunity but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending their playoff chances and Harbaugh’s time with the organization following a phone call from owner Steve Bisciotti.

Two days later, Harbaugh was already discussing the Giants as his next team.

“I think we can win games next year with this roster and the players coming back,” Harbaugh said.

Giants Complete Extensive Coaching Search With Veteran Hire

The Giants began their coaching search after firing Brian Daboll in November. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka served as interim head coach for the final seven games of the season. Over the past two seasons, New York went 7-27, prompting ownership to pursue an experienced replacement.

According to ESPN sources, the Giants conducted in-person interviews with Kafka, Mike McCarthy, Raheem Morris, Kevin Stefanski, and Antonio Pierce. They also held virtual interviews with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and Broncos assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

Harbaugh interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday and had tentative plans to meet with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. New York moved first, bringing Harbaugh to the team’s East Rutherford, New Jersey facility on Wednesday morning. He spent more than seven hours meeting with ownership, executives, and department heads before dining with team officials at Elia Mediterranean. Harbaugh returned to the Baltimore area that evening on Giants chairman Steve Tisch’s private jet.

Sportsbooks Update Giants Futures After Hiring

As the Giants advanced discussions with Harbaugh, betting markets adjusted coaching odds. DraftKings and other sportsbooks installed Harbaugh as the favorite to become New York’s next head coach once his availability became public.

After the contract agreement, futures markets updated expectations for the team. BetOnline.ag set the Giants’ projected 2026 regular-season win total at 8.5 games. New York has gone 13-38 over the past three seasons.

Championship futures remain long. Odds tracked by Covers list the Giants at approximately +100000 to win the Super Bowl and around +75000 to win the NFC Championship. Earlier in 2025, the Super Bowl number was closer to +20000 before lengthening later in the season.

During the 2025 season, individual game markets also pointed to offensive struggles. In a Week 15 matchup against Washington, quarterback Jaxson Dart’s passing yards prop was listed under 208.5 yards.

Former NFL coach Rex Ryan said the Giants are “absolutely a playoff team” under Harbaugh, citing the roster on both sides of the ball.

Ownership Details Decision and Organizational Plan

Giants president John Mara announced the hiring Saturday night in a team release.

“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” Mara said. “Joe Schoen presented us an outstanding group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision. Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants.”

Giants chairman Steve Tisch also addressed the decision.

“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared,” Tisch said. “His passion for the game, his ability to connect with players, and his experience leading at the highest level made him an outstanding fit for us, and we’re excited to move forward together.”

Reporting Structure Finalized After Multi-Day Talks

NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday afternoon that the Giants and Harbaugh had agreed to terms, though the deal took several days to finalize. Discussions centered on football operations structure rather than salary.

Under the agreement, Harbaugh will report directly to Giants ownership instead of general manager Joe Schoen. Harbaugh explained the process to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor.

“It was building the football operations structure,” Harbaugh said. “The conversations with John and Chris Mara and Joe about that were great. We’re not going to be much bigger operationally, but it takes time to put that together in negotiations. It finally came together and I like the start of where we are going, but we still have to build it out. We’re on the same page with it.”

Harbaugh Evaluates Roster Before Accepting Role

Before agreeing to the contract, Harbaugh reviewed the Giants’ roster and game film. He studied quarterback Jaxson Dart and had scouts evaluate the team. Harbaugh told people he did not believe a rebuild was required and felt the Giants could become a winning team in 2026.

The roster includes Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and a pass-rushing group featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter. Harbaugh raised questions about roster control during talks, including how disagreements over draft decisions would be handled. Ownership assured him of a collaborative approach.

John Mara told Harbaugh he intervenes only in disciplinary matters. Mara’s reputation around the league, along with Schoen’s prior willingness to move up in the draft for Daboll’s preferred quarterback, helped finalize the agreement.

Harbaugh now becomes the first Giants head coach to arrive with a Super Bowl victory already on his résumé and begins his tenure with a five-year commitment from ownership.

The Heat–Knicks rivalry is a long-running, physically intense NBA feud, driven by repeated playoff meetings, on-court fights, player suspensions, and decisive last-second shots. The rivalry reached its height in the late 1990s and early 2000s, then reemerged in the 2020s with postseason series in 2012 and 2023 and an ongoing regular-season history tracked through November 2025.

Origins And Early Regular-Season Meetings

The New York Knicks were founded in 1946 as one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America, which merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the National Basketball Association. The Knicks played home games at Madison Square Garden and built an identity around tough, competitive basketball.

The Miami Heat entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1988 and began play in the 1988–89 season alongside the Charlotte Hornets. Miami was placed in the Western Conference’s Midwest Division before league realignment moved the team to the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division in 1989–90.

The first regular-season game between the teams took place on March 2, 1989, at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks won 132–123. Over the early years, New York controlled the series, winning 10 of the first 14 regular-season meetings from 1989 through early 1992.

Pat Riley’s 1995 Exit And The Personnel Matchups

Pat Riley was hired by the Knicks on May 31, 1991. He coached New York to the 1994 NBA Finals and then left the organization to join a direct rival.

On September 2, 1995, Riley resigned from New York and became head coach and president of the Miami Heat. The move followed a league investigation into tampering allegations filed by the Knicks, and Miami provided New York $1 million and a future first-round draft pick as compensation.

Riley built a tough, defensive-minded Miami team featuring point guard Tim Hardaway and center Alonzo Mourning, directly challenging the Knicks’ physical identity led by center Patrick Ewing, forward Charles Oakley, and guard John Starks under coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson became a focal matchup in the rivalry after playing together in Charlotte. Mourning was traded to Miami from the Charlotte Hornets in November 1995, and Johnson was traded from Charlotte to the Knicks in July 1996.

Coaching connections remained a consistent thread. Van Gundy had been Riley’s longtime assistant and succeeded him as Knicks head coach in 1995. Erik Spoelstra later rose through Miami’s system under Riley and became the Heat head coach in 2008, continuing the team culture into later eras.

1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals

The rivalry’s first playoff meeting came in the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals, played from May 7 to May 18. The Knicks took a 3–1 lead with wins in Game 1 (88–79), Game 3 (77–73), and Game 4 (89–76). Miami came back to win the series 4–3, becoming only the sixth team in NBA history to overcome a 3–1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

The turning point came in Game 5 on May 14 at Miami Arena. With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Knicks guard Charlie Ward attempted to box out Heat forward P.J. Brown for a rebound. Brown lifted and body-slammed Ward to the floor, triggering a bench-clearing brawl. The incident produced 10 technical fouls. Brown, Ward, and Starks were ejected, and Oakley had been ejected earlier for fighting Mourning. Miami won Game 5, 96–81, cutting the series deficit to 3–2.

NBA commissioner David Stern issued suspensions that affected both teams. Brown missed Games 6 and 7. Five Knicks were suspended: Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Charlie Ward were each suspended for one game for Game 6, while Larry Johnson and John Starks were each suspended for one game for Game 7. Miami won Game 6, 95–90, in New York and then won Game 7, 101–90.

The series included individual production. Patrick Ewing averaged 23.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, including 37 points and 17 rebounds in Game 7. Alonzo Mourning averaged 19.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, and he posted 28 points and 15 rebounds in Game 6. Allan Houston averaged 19.3 points over six games and scored 23 points in Game 7. Tim Hardaway scored 38 points in Game 7. The Knicks’ three wins came by an average margin of 8.7 points. The series scoring averages were at 86.9 points per game for Miami and 85.6 for New York.

1998 Eastern Conference First Round

The teams met again in the 1998 Eastern Conference First Round. The series was described as a gritty, low-scoring defensive struggle, and the Knicks won 3–2 after dropping the opener. Miami averaged 87.4 points per game across the five games.

Game 2 ended in a 96–86 Knicks win and included a throat-slashing gesture by guard Chris Childs toward the Heat bench. Miami won Game 3, 91–85. The series reached another major fight in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, when Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning traded punches with 1.4 seconds left while contesting a rebound. Jeff Van Gundy latched onto Mourning’s leg as he attempted to intervene. Both Johnson and Mourning received two-game suspensions. New York still won Game 4, 90–85, to tie the series 2–2.

The series concluded with a 98–81 Knicks win in Game 5, where New York’s zone defense limited Miami to 81 points and generated 18 turnovers. Despite averaging 26.0 points per game, Tim Hardaway shot just 5-for-18 in the finale. John Starks posted a series average of 16.8 points, Larry Johnson averaged 20.8 points prior to his suspension, and Alonzo Mourning recorded averages of 19.3 points and 8.5 rebounds.

1999 Eastern Conference First Round

The third consecutive playoff series took place in the 1999 Eastern Conference First Round, the first postseason after the 1998–99 NBA lockout compressed the regular season to 50 games. Miami entered as the top seed at 33–17, and New York entered as the eighth seed at 27–23. The Knicks won 3–2.

New York opened with a 95–75 win in Game 1 behind Patrick Ewing’s 22 points and 15 rebounds. Miami responded in Game 2 with an 83–73 win led by Alonzo Mourning’s 23 points. New York won Game 3, 97–73, and the game included Tim Hardaway’s ejection late in the fourth quarter after he received two technical fouls for arguing with officials following an offensive foul call. In that game, Hardaway shot 4-of-19 and was later fined $5,000 for verbal abuse and delaying his exit from the court.

Miami forced Game 5 by winning Game 4, 87–72, behind Mourning’s 27 points and 10 rebounds. Game 5 in Miami ended with Allan Houston hitting a 17-foot jumper off a pass from Latrell Sprewell with 0.8 seconds left, giving the Knicks a 78–77 win. The shot banked in off the rim and backboard. Mourning had 21 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

The series was described as drawing 18 technical fouls. The Knicks shot 47.1% from the field as a team, while Miami shot 44.1%, and the series averaged 162 combined points per game.

2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals

The fourth consecutive postseason meeting came in the 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Knicks were seeded third and the Heat second, and New York won the series 4–3. Each game was decided by fewer than 10 points, and the series averaged 161.4 total points per game.

Miami won Game 1, 87–83, and Game 3, 77–76 in overtime. New York won Game 2, 82–76, Game 4, 91–83, and Game 6, 72–70. Miami won Game 5, 87–81, to force a seventh game.

Game 6 at Madison Square Garden included a comeback from an 18-point deficit in the second quarter, and New York won 72–70 while holding Miami to 70 points, described as the Heat’s lowest in the postseason. Game 7 on May 21 in Miami ended 83–82 after Latrell Sprewell stole the ball from Tim Hardaway, setting up Allan Houston’s 19-foot jumper with 0.8 seconds remaining. Clarence Weatherspoon’s desperation heave at the buzzer missed.

Alonzo Mourning averaged 23.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and scored 29 points with 13 rebounds in Game 7. Patrick Ewing averaged 14.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in what was described as his final playoff appearance with the Knicks. Latrell Sprewell averaged 17.7 points per game, including 24 in Game 7. Allan Houston averaged 16.0 points per game.

Regular-Season Flashpoints From 1997 To 2000

One of the most notable regular-season games took place on February 1, 1998, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 89–83 in a game that included a late scuffle between Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson. The game featured 55 combined personal fouls, with 26 for Miami and 29 for New York, along with two technical fouls per team and one flagrant foul each. The game was played before a sellout crowd of 19,763.

Another high-profile regular-season game occurred on April 9, 2000, at Miami Arena, where the Heat won 95–94 in overtime in front of 19,600 fans. Tim Hardaway ended the game with a one-handed 25-footer over Chris Childs with 0.1 seconds left. The win improved Miami’s record to 50–26 and solidified its hold on the No. 2 seed, while New York dropped to three games behind with four regular-season games remaining.

Across 12 regular-season games played between 1997–98 and 1999–2000, the teams split evenly at 6–6, with each season series ending 2–2.

Fan response was described as part of the rivalry’s atmosphere, especially at Madison Square Garden, where Knicks fans booed Pat Riley and displayed signs reading “Benedict Riley.” Riley was also described as being called “Pat the Rat.” After a 2000 loss to the Knicks, Riley described the matchup as “one big death grip that both teams have on the other.”

2000–2012: The Postseason Gap And Key Franchise Changes

After the four consecutive playoff meetings from 1997 to 2000, Miami and New York did not meet again in the playoffs until 2012, described as an 11-year absence from 2001 through 2011.

The Knicks’ decline was tied to the summer 2000 trade of Patrick Ewing to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team deal involving 12 players and five draft picks. New York made the playoffs three times during this period: in 2001, losing in five games to the Toronto Raptors in the first round; in 2004, being swept in four games by the New Jersey Nets; and in 2011, losing 4–0 to the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Knicks missed the postseason in eight seasons from 2002–2003 and 2005–2010 and had losing records in nine of those 11 seasons.

Miami remained more competitive and won the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2006 after acquiring Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 to pair with Dwyane Wade. Pat Riley resigned as head coach in October 2003 to focus on front-office duties. Dwyane Wade suffered a left shoulder dislocation in February 2007 against the Houston Rockets, and Miami later posted a 15–67 record in 2007–08, described as the franchise’s worst. The Heat followed with 43–39 in 2008–09 and 47–35 in 2009–10.

A specific regular-season example from this period occurred on February 26, 2007, when the Knicks beat a depleted Heat team 99–93 at Madison Square Garden, halting Miami’s three-game winning streak amid Wade’s absence.

During the same period, the Eastern Conference landscape changed with league expansion, including the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004, which brought the conference to 15 teams and intensified competition for the eight available playoff spots.

2010–2014: Big Three Spotlight And The 2012 Playoff Series

Miami’s Big Three era began in 2010 with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Knicks emerged as a brief contender led initially by coach Mike D’Antoni, who coached until March 2012, and the roster featured Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony after New York acquired Anthony in 2011. Across the 2010 to 2014 span, Miami held a 9–6 regular-season record against New York.

On January 27, 2012, Miami won 99–89, with Wade scoring 28 points in a return from injury and James scoring 31 points. On March 3, 2013, Miami won 99–93 at Madison Square Garden after coming back from a 16-point deficit, and James recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. On April 2, 2013, Anthony scored a career-tying 50 points in a 102–90 Knicks win, and he shot 18-of-26.

The teams met in the playoffs again in the 2012 Eastern Conference First Round, played from April 28 to May 9. Miami, the second seed, won 4–1. Miami won Game 1, 100–67; Game 2, 104–94; Game 3, 87–70; and Game 5, 106–94. The Knicks won Game 4, 89–87.

Over the five games, Miami shot 45.6 percent from the field while New York shot 41.7 percent. Miami averaged 96.8 points per game, and New York averaged 82.8. LeBron James averaged 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 47.8% shooting. Game 4 included Carmelo Anthony’s 41 points on 16-of-29 shooting, and the series referenced Iman Shumpert’s ACL tear. In Game 5, Anthony scored 35 points while James recorded 29 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The series also featured heavy fouling. Game 1 included a flagrant-1 call on a Tyson Chandler screen, and New York committed 21 fouls in the first half alone, leading to a 28–5 free-throw attempt advantage for Miami early in the series.

2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals

The rivalry’s most recent postseason meeting was the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the eighth-seeded Heat defeated the fifth-seeded Knicks 4–2. Jimmy Butler averaged 24.6 points per game and appeared in five games after missing Game 4 due to an ankle sprain. Jalen Brunson averaged 31.0 points per game. Caleb Martin contributed 19.3 points per game, and Bam Adebayo anchored Miami’s defense by limiting New York’s interior scoring and affecting Julius Randle.

The series opened on April 30 at Madison Square Garden with Miami winning Game 1, 108–101, behind Butler’s 30 points. New York tied the series on May 2 with a 111–105 Game 2 win, with Brunson scoring 30 points and the Knicks taking advantage of Miami’s 11 turnovers. Miami took Game 3 on May 6, 105–86, and held New York under 40% shooting. Miami won Game 4 on May 8, 109–101, without Butler, with Max Strus scoring 19 points and Adebayo recording 23 points and 13 rebounds. New York extended the series with a 112–103 win in Game 5 on May 10 at Kaseya Center behind Brunson’s 38 points. Miami closed the series in Game 6 on May 12 in New York, winning 96–92, and the game included disputed fouls and a late “tumble” incident involving Caleb Martin that drew attention for potential flopping.

Miami held New York to 29.9% from three-point range across the series, and the Knicks averaged about 12 turnovers per game in their losses.

The series included specific controversy markers: memes mocked Butler’s perceived “acting,” and Game 5 drew referee scrutiny because the Knicks were assessed nine fouls in the first quarter, including a flagrant foul on Josh Hart and three consecutive offensive fouls, with complaints focused on inconsistent officiating and uncalled moving screens by Adebayo.

After the series, Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, upset the top-seeded Boston Celtics in seven games, and then lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. The Knicks traded forward Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers and signed guard Donte DiVincenzo to a four-year, $50 million contract. The series averaged approximately 4.8 million viewers across ESPN and TNT, and the 2023 playoffs were described as the most-watched since 2018.

2014–2025 Developments And Recent Regular-Season Results

After LeBron James left Miami in 2014, the Heat reached the NBA Finals that year and lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Miami later acquired Jimmy Butler in 2019 via sign-and-trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and reached the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble as the sixth seed after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics before losing 2–4 to the Los Angeles Lakers, posting a 14–7 playoff record.

New York’s franchise path included controversies under owner James Dolan, including the 2017 ejection of Charles Oakley from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau as head coach in July 2020 and built around Julius Randle, acquired in 2019, and RJ Barrett, the 2019 No. 3 overall pick. New York ended a seven-year playoff drought in 2021 and lost to the Atlanta Hawks.

From 2014 to 2022, Miami held an 18–7 record over New York across 25 regular-season games. A highlighted matchup occurred on January 12, 2020, when the Knicks produced a 40-point fourth quarter to beat the Heat 124–121 at Madison Square Garden, led by Julius Randle’s 26 points.

In the 2023–24 regular season, the teams played three times: the Knicks won 100–98 on November 24, 2023, and 125–109 on January 27, 2024, while the Heat won 109–99 on April 2, 2024.

The 2024 playoffs did not include a Heat–Knicks series. The eighth-seeded Heat lost 1–4 to the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round, including a 114–94 Game 1 loss and injuries involving Jimmy Butler. The second-seeded Knicks reached the Eastern Conference semifinals but lost 3–4 to the Indiana Pacers, ending with a 130–109 Game 7 loss in which Indiana set a playoff record field-goal percentage of 67.1%.

In the 2024–25 regular season, the Knicks swept all three meetings: 116–107 on October 30, 2024; 116–112 in overtime on March 2, 2025; and 116–95 on March 17, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. The March 17 win included Mikal Bridges scoring 28 points and Miami being held to 38.5% shooting, and it extended Miami’s skid to eight games.

The 2025–26 season opened with the teams splitting their first two games. Miami won 115–107 on October 26, 2025, in Miami, with Norman Powell scoring 29 points on 10-of-21 shooting and adding seven rebounds. The Knicks won 140–132 on November 14, 2025, in New York.

Head-To-Head Totals, Playoff Series Results, And Named Statistical Marks

The playoff history includes six series, with the teams tied 3–3 in series wins and Miami holding a 19–16 advantage across 35 playoff games as of 2025. All six series were in the Eastern Conference:

• 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Miami Heat 4–3
• 1998 Eastern Conference First Round: New York Knicks 3–2
• 1999 Eastern Conference First Round: New York Knicks 3–2
• 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals: New York Knicks 4–3
• 2012 Eastern Conference First Round: Miami Heat 4–1
• 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Miami Heat 4–2

Through 144 regular-season games as of November 2025, the Knicks lead 76–68. The teams split their first two games of 2025–26, so the rivalry kept its even feel on a night-to-night basis, even when the all-time totals lean slightly toward New York.

Top single-game playoff scoring in Heat–Knicks series:

• Carmelo Anthony (Knicks): 41, Game 4 of the 2012 Eastern Conference First Round (May 6, 2012)
• Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 41, Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals (May 12, 2023)
• Tim Hardaway (Heat): 38, Game 7 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals (May 18, 1997)
• LeBron James (Heat): 32, Game 1 of the 2012 Eastern Conference First Round (April 28, 2012)
• Alonzo Mourning (Heat): 31, Game 5 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals (May 13, 1997)

Top single-game regular-season scoring:

• Dwyane Wade (Heat): 55, April 12, 2009
• Jamal Crawford (Knicks): 52, January 26, 2007
• Carmelo Anthony (Knicks): 50, April 2, 2013
• Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 37, October 26, 2025

Top playoff series scoring averages (minimum 10 playoff games vs the opponent):

• Patrick Ewing (Knicks): 21.0 PPG, 19 games
• Alonzo Mourning (Heat): 20.9 PPG, 22 games
• Allan Houston (Knicks): 19.3 PPG, 17 games
• Tim Hardaway (Heat): 18.9 PPG, 19 games
• John Starks (Knicks): 17.2 PPG, 15 games

Additional individual records and milestone stats:

• Alonzo Mourning recorded 64 rebounds in the 1997 series, averaging 9.1 rebounds per game.
• Julius Randle averaged 10.2 rebounds per game in the 2023 series and had 13 rebounds in Game 2.
• Tim Hardaway recorded 42 assists in the 1997 series, averaging 6.0 per game, with a peak of seven assists in Game 7.
• Jalen Brunson recorded 38 assists in 2023, averaging 6.3 per game, with a series-high nine assists in Game 5.
• Mourning recorded 20 blocks in the 1997 series, averaging 2.9 blocks per game.
• Hardaway recorded five steals in Game 7 of the 1997 series.
• Bam Adebayo recorded four blocks in the 2023 series, averaging 0.7 per game, and averaged 9.7 rebounds.
• Patrick Ewing scored 1,001 career points against the Heat across 45 regular-season games, averaging 22.2 points and 10.4 rebounds.
• LeBron James recorded a triple-double on December 17, 2010, with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 113–91 Heat win at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Giants advanced their head coaching search on Sunday when senior player personnel executive Chris Mara traveled to the Baltimore area and met John Harbaugh for lunch at the coach’s home. The meeting was confirmed by The New York Post’s Paul Schwartz and was the first in-person meeting between Harbaugh and any NFL team since he became available.

The visit followed an earlier contact last week, when Giants general manager Joe Schoen spoke with Harbaugh by phone on Thursday, the same day Harbaugh held conversations with other interested teams.

Harbaugh Becomes Available After 18 Seasons in Baltimore

Harbaugh became available last week after being fired by the Baltimore Ravens following 18 seasons as head coach. During his tenure, he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl championship in 2013, recorded nearly 200 career wins, and finished with a .609 career winning percentage, winning almost 61% of the games he coached, including the playoffs.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti called the move “an incredibly difficult decision.” Harbaugh later released a statement expressing “GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION.”

According to his agent, Bryan Harlan, Harbaugh received calls from seven NFL teams within the first 45 minutes after the firing. There are currently seven NFL head coaching openings, including Baltimore’s.

Giants Among Several Teams Showing Interest

Teams confirmed to have contacted or shown interest in Harbaugh include the Giants, Falcons, Titans, Browns, Raiders, Cardinals, and Dolphins. On Monday, Harbaugh spoke with Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan in what was described as an exploratory phone call.

The Giants are among the teams expected to receive an in-person interview later this week or early next week, though no formal interviews have been scheduled. Multiple sources described mutual interest between Harbaugh and the Giants. Harbaugh is believed to be at the top of the Giants’ list, while the Giants are believed to be near the top of Harbaugh’s preferred destinations, along with the Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins. If the Green Bay Packers’ position were to open, it would also be considered a top option.

Sportsbooks Adjust as Giants Emerge as Favorite

As the Giants’ meeting and continued discussions became public, sportsbook odds moved quickly. At DraftKings, the Giants’ odds to hire Harbaugh opened at +500 and later shifted to -150, implying roughly a 60% probability based on the pricing. Another DraftKings-referenced update showed Harbaugh moving from 20/1 to -150.

In the same DraftKings coaching market listing, other candidates followed Harbaugh, including Kevin Stefanski at +200, Mike McCarthy at +600, Jeff Hafley at +850, and Kliff Kingsbury at +950.

A separate “next team” odds board listed the Giants at -150, followed by the Dolphins at +400, Falcons at +500, Raiders at +600, Titans at +900, Browns at +1000, and Cardinals at +1500. The movement coincided with reports of the Giants’ in-person meeting and ongoing talks.

Harbaugh Reviews Giants’ 2025 Film

According to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Harbaugh conducted an extensive film study of the Giants’ 2025 season after his dismissal. The Giants finished that season with a 4–13 record.

Harbaugh focused closely on rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and told at least one person that the film study gave him “a lot to be excited about.” Dart’s off-platform playing style stood out during the review.

Harbaugh is said to be seeking a team with a strong quarterback situation. Other teams under consideration present different quarterback situations:

• The Falcons have Michael Penix Jr., entering his third year after a third ACL repair.
• The Titans have Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, who finished the season strong and is known as a hard-working team leader.
• The Dolphins are dealing with uncertainty surrounding Tua Tagovailoa.

Draft Assets and Salary Cap Position

Draft resources are part of the evaluation. The Giants hold the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft but do not have a third-round pick, which was used to acquire Dart in the 2025 draft. The Falcons do not have a first-round pick, while the Titans own the fourth overall pick and a full allotment of selections.

The Giants are projected to have just over $20 million in salary cap space this offseason, a figure expected to increase with roster cuts, and more than $100 million in cap space in 2027. Ownership structure and management have not been cited as issues, and general manager Joe Schoen has not been identified as a concern by sources close to Harbaugh.

Giants Continue Interview Process

While discussions with Harbaugh continue, the Giants have maintained an active interview process. Candidates who have interviewed or are scheduled to interview include Kevin Stefanski, Antonio Pierce, Raheem Morris, Klint Kubiak, Vance Joseph, Darren Rizzi, and Mike Kafka. Kubiak, Joseph, and Rizzi interviewed remotely because their teams remain in the playoffs.

Mike McCarthy, former head coach of the Packers and Cowboys, is expected to interview in person on Tuesday, while Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will interview via Zoom. Additional interviews are expected with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Some candidates have met with an ownership group consisting of John Mara, Steve Tisch, and Chris Mara. John Mara has remained involved in meetings while undergoing cancer treatments.