Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (Knicks home game)
TV/Radio: MSG Network (New York), Bally Sports Southeast (Charlotte); League Pass and local radio available.
This late-season Eastern Conference clash pits a Charlotte Hornets team still mathematically alive for the No. 8–10 play-in spots against a New York Knicks squad that has already secured home-court advantage in the first round but is navigating load management and minor injuries. The Knicks are playing for rhythm and rest, while Charlotte desperately needs a road win to keep their slim postseason hopes breathing.
Team Records & Standings Context
Charlotte Hornets: 43-38 overall (8th in the Eastern Conference, 19-21 on the road). They average 114.2 PPG scored and allow 113.8 PPG, ranking middle-of-the-pack in net rating but strong in transition play.
New York Knicks: 53-28 overall (3rd in the Eastern Conference, 30-11 at home). They lead the league in defensive efficiency (allowing just 108.5 PPG) while scoring 115.6 PPG themselves.
New York holds the edge in overall talent and home dominance, but Charlotte’s recent push has made them a dangerous spoiler.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5–10 Games)
Hornets: 5-5 in their last 10 games, including a 3-2 mark in the past five. They are on a W2 streak after back-to-back wins over Atlanta (April 10) and Washington (April 8). Charlotte has been competitive on the road lately but continues to struggle closing out games against top Eastern teams.
Knicks: 7-3 in their last 10 games (and 4-1 in the past five). They are riding a W3 streak following victories over Miami (April 9), Philadelphia (April 7), and Brooklyn (April 5). New York has been especially stout defensively at home during this stretch.
The Knicks enter with better momentum and home success, while the Hornets are playing with urgency but remain inconsistent away from Charlotte.
Injury Report
Charlotte Hornets:
Questionable/GTD: LaMelo Ball (right ankle sprain), Grant Williams (left hamstring tightness).
Out: Mark Williams (right foot stress reaction; out for remainder of regular season), Nick Richards (left knee; out indefinitely).
Depth at center is thin, forcing reliance on smaller lineups and rookie bigs.
New York Knicks:
Out / Load Management: Jalen Brunson (rest; probable to play limited minutes or sit), OG Anunoby (right shoulder; out until at least April 15).
Questionable: Julius Randle (left quad contusion), Mitchell Robinson (right ankle).
Out for season: None major, but the team is prioritizing health heading into playoffs.
New York’s injury list is lighter than recent games but still creates opportunities for Charlotte if Brunson and Randle are limited.
Key Player Matchups
LaMelo Ball / Tre Mann (CHA) vs. New York backcourt (Brunson if active / McBride): Ball’s playmaking and deep range could exploit any Knicks rest, but New York’s perimeter defense (led by potential Brunson minutes) usually clamps down on Charlotte’s guards.
Brandon Miller / Miles Bridges (CHA wings) vs. OG Anunoby / Josh Hart (if active): Miller has been Charlotte’s most consistent scorer (21+ PPG lately), but New York’s length and physicality on the wings have historically neutralized him.
Frontcourt battle (Hornets thin bigs vs. Randle / Robinson if active): With Mark Williams out, Charlotte lacks interior size. New York should dominate the glass and paint protection if Randle plays even limited minutes.
Overall, New York’s superior size, defensive versatility, and home experience give them the edge in every major matchup.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
New York leads the season series 3-1:
Dec. 15, 2025: NYK 118-109
Jan. 22, 2026: CHA 112-105
Feb. 10, 2026: NYK 121-114
Mar. 18, 2026: NYK 128-117
The Knicks have won the last two meetings by double digits, capitalizing on Charlotte’s rebounding deficiencies and turnovers. Charlotte’s lone win came in a high-scoring home upset.
Betting Trends
Knicks are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 and 8-2 ATS at home when favored by 8+ points.
Hornets are 4-6 ATS in last 10 and just 3-7 ATS as road underdogs of 9+.
Over/Under: Charlotte games have hit the Under in 6 of last 10; Knicks home games trend Under when resting key pieces.
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets – 11.5
New York Knicks 215.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, April 11, 2026
