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 is day-to-day with a right ankle sprain suffered on January 14 and could return against Dallas.
- Josh Hart missed the Suns game as a precaution due to right ankle soreness after heavy minutes.
- The Knicks have lost eight of their last 10 games and are sliding in the Eastern Conference race.
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.
