The Utah Jazz hit the road for a tough test against the surging New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks aim to extend their home dominance amid frontcourt injury concerns. With Utah snapping a mini-skid behind Lauri Markkanen’s scoring prowess and Keyonte George’s playmaking, this matchup contrasts the Jazz’s rebuilding grit with New York’s championship aspirations. The Knicks, leaning on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns’ dual-threat attack, have won seven of their last 10, but OG Anunoby’s hamstring issue could expose vulnerabilities against Utah’s efficient offense (118.7 PPG, 10th in NBA). Expect a high-volume three-point battle—New York’s 15.3 makes/game (2nd) vs. Utah’s 14.8 allowed (20th)—as the Jazz seek their first win in the Big Apple since 2022. This is the second meeting of the season, following New York’s 119-103 home win on January 1.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York (home of the New York Knicks; capacity: 19,812). The World’s Most Famous Arena has been a Knicks stronghold this year (11-1 home), with its storied energy fueling comebacks in marquee matchups.
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. MT)
Broadcast: MSG Network (Knicks local), KJZZ (Jazz local), NBA TV (national). Streaming on NBA League Pass and Fubo.
Utah enters on the second night of a back-to-back after Thursday’s win in Brooklyn, while New York is rested post-Wednesday’s home victory over Charlotte.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Utah Jazz | 8-13 (.381) | 6-6 home / 2-7 away | 11th in Western Conference (13.0 GB behind OKC) | W2 (4-6 in last 10) |
| New York Knicks | 14-7 (.667) | 11-1 home / 3-6 away | 2nd in Eastern Conference (2.5 GB behind DET) | W1 (7-3 in last 10) |
Utah ranks 10th in scoring (118.7 PPG) but 29th in defense (124.6 allowed), with a -5.9 net rating. New York is 6th offensively (120.2 PPG) and 4th defensively (113.0 allowed), boasting a +7.2 net rating (top-5).
Recent Team Forms
The Jazz have clawed back with back-to-back wins, showcasing balanced scoring from seven double-figure contributors. They edged Brooklyn 123-110 on December 4 (Markkanen 24 PTS, George 22 PTS/7 AST), following a 133-125 home thriller over Houston on December 1 (Markkanen 29 PTS, George 28 PTS). Prior: a dismal 101-129 blowout to Houston on November 30 exposed defensive woes (44.3% FG allowed).
Over the last 5 games (3-2): W 123-110 at BKN, W 133-125 vs. HOU, L 101-129 vs. HOU, W 128-119 vs. SAC (Nov. 28), L 117-134 at GSW (Nov. 24). Average: 122.4 PPG scored, 123.4 allowed (-1.0 margin). Road form lags (2-7, -8.2 margin), but they’ve covered 6/9 as 10+ underdogs; turnovers (16.2/game) persist.
New York has rebounded from early inconsistencies, winning seven of 10 behind elite three-point shooting and Towns’ double-doubles. They dominated Charlotte 119-104 on December 3 (Towns 35 PTS/18 REB, Brunson 26 PTS), but fell 123-117 at Boston on December 2 despite Mikal Bridges’ 35 PTS (8-12 3PT).
Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 119-104 vs. CHA, L 117-123 at BOS, W 116-94 vs. TOR (Nov. 30), W 118-109 vs. MIL (Nov. 28), W 129-101 at CHA (Nov. 26). Average: 117.8 PPG scored, 105.6 allowed (+12.2 margin). Home form is elite (11-1, +12.5 margin), with 48.6% FG shooting; they’ve won 9/10 as 10+ favorites.
Injury Report
Both teams grapple with frontcourt depth issues, but New York’s core remains intact while Utah’s paint presence is thinned. Pre-tip updates critical, especially on back-to-back fatigue for the Jazz.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Jazz | Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Questionable | Right rib contusion (aggravated vs. BKN; day-to-day, missed prior) | Starting center (8.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.0 APG); if out, forces small-ball with Anderson at C (Jazz allow +8.2 paint PTS without him). |
| Jazz | Georges Niang (F) | Out | Left foot stress reaction (re-eval in 10-14 days; offseason holdover) | Versatile forward (bench scoring); absence since camp hurts spacing (3PT% drops 2.1% sans him). |
| Jazz | Walker Kessler (C) | Out (Season) | Left shoulder surgery recovery (no timetable) | Backup rim protector (pre-injury: 10.8 RPG); massive rebounding void (team -3.2 margin without). |
| Jazz | Kevin Love (F) | Out | Rest (B2B management; returns vs. Knicks?) | Veteran big (9.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG); load management limits minutes, tests depth. |
| Jazz | Elijah Harkless (G) / John Tonje (F) | Out | G League assignment | Minimal rotation impact. |
| Knicks | OG Anunoby (F) | Questionable | Left hamstring strain (since Nov. 14; upgraded from out) | Two-way star (15.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG pre-injury); Knicks 6-4 without, but D slips (opp FG% +3.2%). |
| Knicks | Landry Shamet (G) | Out | Right shoulder sprain (re-eval in 4 weeks) | Sharpshooter (bench 3PT threat); three-point volume down 1.8 makes/game. |
| Knicks | Mitchell Robinson (C) | Questionable | Left ankle management (day-to-day) | Rim protector (double-double threat); if limited, Towns logs 38+ MPG (fouls rise 1.2/game). |
| Knicks | Kevin McCullar Jr. (G) | Questionable | Groin strain (recent tweak) | Depth wing (two-way); minor if out. |
Key Player Matchups
Utah’s perimeter creation challenges New York’s backcourt length, while the Knicks’ spacing tests the Jazz’s interior D. Rebounding could swing it—New York’s +4.2 margin vs. Utah’s -3.2.
Lauri Markkanen (UTA) vs. Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK): Markkanen’s stretch-five game (26.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG) vs. Towns’ dominance (22.7 PPG, 12.0 RPG). Towns edges in volume, but Markkanen’s 40% 3PT exploits switches. Edge: Towns at home.
Keyonte George (UTA) vs. Jalen Brunson (NYK): George’s breakout (22.0 PPG, 6.5 APG) vs. Brunson’s efficiency (25.2 PPG, 6.4 APG). Brunson’s mid-range mastery limits George’s drives. Edge: Brunson.
Mikal Bridges (NYK) vs. Cody Williams (UTA): Bridges’ two-way versatility (17.0 PPG, 2.1 SPG) vs. Williams’ rookie length (10.0 PPG). Bridges held similar wings under 15 PTS last month. Edge: Bridges.
John Collins (UTA) vs. Josh Hart (NYK): Collins’ athleticism (double-double threat) vs. Hart’s hustle (17.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG last 6 starts). Hart’s energy disrupts Collins’ post-ups. Edge: Hart.
Bench: Isaiah Collier (UTA) vs. Miles McBride (NYK): Collier’s rookie spark (10.0 PPG) vs. McBride’s D (1.9 SPG). Depth for pace control. Edge: McBride.
Monitor New York’s 15.3 3PM vs. Utah’s 14.8 allowed; Jazz steals (8.9/game, top-5) could fuel transition.
Series History
The Jazz-Knicks rivalry dates to 1979, with 110 regular-season meetings and a near-even split. Utah holds a slight edge overall, but New York dominates recently at MSG.
All-Time Regular Season: Jazz lead 56-54 (50.9%). Last 10 RS: Knicks 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: None (0-0).
Overall: Jazz 56-54 (50.9%).
Recent: Knicks won last meeting 119-103 (Jan. 1, 2025 at NYK). Jazz won prior 121-106 (Nov. 23, 2024 at UTA). In last 5: Knicks 3-2, averaging 115.4-110.6 scores (Knicks +4.8 margin). Overs hit 60%.
Home teams win 58% ATS; totals over 55% when Knicks shoot 47%+ FG.
Betting Trends
Spread: Jazz 10-11 ATS overall (4-5 road). Knicks 13-8 ATS; 9-3 as 14+ favorites. Trend: Home faves cover 6/8 last in series.
Moneyline: Knicks 13-5 as heavy favorites; Jazz 5-8 as dogs.
Total: Knicks overs (NYK 9-6 O/U); Jazz 6/10 road overs. Last 5 H2H: 60% over. Trend: Overs 7/10 Knicks home; unders 5/7 Jazz B2B.
Predicted Score: New York Knicks 123, Utah Jazz 108
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 241.5
New York Knicks – 15.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
