After opening the season on the road for the first time in five years, the Knicks will return to the Mecca for an intriguing matchup against the Eastern Conference regular season champs. On Thursday, October 29 at 8 PM, the 60-win Atlanta Hawks enter the Garden with a tweaked roster as they chase an elusive spot in the 2016 NBA Finals.
The storyline for this specific contest will surround New York’s former guard Tim Hardaway Jr. The Knicks shipped THJ to Hotlanta in exchange for the No. 19 overall pick, which they eventually used to select Jerian Grant. Hardaway Jr., New York’s 2013 first round draft pick will attempt to replace the void filled by DeMarre Carroll’s departure. Atlanta managed to retain Paul Millsap and acquired former Spurs center Tiago Splitter to bolster its frontline behind 3-time All-Star Al Horford.
New York fans will welcome a new-look squad for this home opener as most of the roster was revamped in a summer of change for the orange and blue. Eight new players will hit the hardwood on October 29, including the No. 4 overall pick Kristaps Porzingis. Veteran free agent acquisitions Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle O’Quinn, Derrick Williams, and Kevin Seraphin will have their first opportunity to entertain the home crowd for a regular season game. Oh, and, let’s not forget about the return of Carmelo Anthony after the All-Star missed 42 games due to injury a season ago.
This road-home back-to-back offers a stiff test for New York against two 2015 playoff teams. This matchup for the Knicks is a challenge considering the Hawks return most of the roster from the 60-win team that surprised NBA enthusiasts with a banner 2014-15 season. The Hawks share similar traits as the Spurs with an efficient offensive attack and the second-best mark from beyond the arc.
The home debut for Knicks rookies and offseason acquisitions, the return of Melo, Hardaway Jr.’s first appearance back in NYC, and the regular season Eastern Conference champs invading hostile territory should create tremendous buzz for the opener at the Garden on October 29.
Matchups To Watch:Knicks @ Bucks, October 28