The New York Knicks will face the Washington Wizards in the NBA preseason game at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on October 18. It will be the third preseason game for both teams.
The Knicks finished in second place in the Eastern Conference last season with 50 wins in 82 matches. They faced the Indiana Pacers in the semi-final of their Conference and lost the series 2-4.
The Wizards didn’t have a decent outing last season. They were in second-last place with 15 wins in 82 outings in the Eastern Conference, their worst performance in the last five seasons. They lost the last six games during the 2023-24 season.
Below, we give you the previews, head-to-head stats, and odds for the NBA Preseason: New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards.
New York Knicks: Analysis and Team Preview
The Knicks re-signed power forward Precious Achiuwa, small forward OG Anunoby, point guard Jalen Brunson, and small forward Jacob Toppin.
On July 6, the Knicks traded small forward Bojan Bogdanović, power forward Mamadi Diakite, and point guard Shake Milton for power forward Keita Bates-Diop, small forward Mikal Bridges, and one second-round pick.
In October, the Knicks traded Bates-Diop to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade that involved the Charlotte Hornets. In addition to Bates-Diop, the Timberwolves received shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, power forward Julius Randle, and a first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons while sending a 2025 second-round pick to the Hornets. The Timberwolves traded center Karl-Anthony Towns and the draft rights to center James Nnaji to the Knicks.
In addition, point guard Cameron Payne has signed a one-year deal. Payne played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers last season. In the draft, the Knicks selected shooting guard Pacome Dadiet, point guard Tyler Kolek, point guard Kevin McCullar Jr, and center Ariel Hukporti.
Other departures at the Knicks include shooting guard Alec Burks and center Isaiah Hartenstein. Burks has signed with the Miami Heat, while Hartenstein will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shooting guards Charlie Brown Jr, DaQuan Jeffries, and Duane Washington Jr are the three unsigned free agents with the Knicks.
Shooting guard Pacome Dadiet, small forward Jacob Toppin, point guard Kevin McCullar Jr., and center Mitchell Robinson are the four players who are there on the injury list. Dadiet (in rehabilitation for a knee injury), Toppin (recovering from a minor hip injury), and McCullar Jr. (bone bruise on the knee) might make a comeback very soon, while Robinson (left ankle fracture) is out at least until December.
The Knicks faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first NBA preseason game at Madison Square Garden and won by a final score of 115 to 110.
Washington Wizards: Analysis and Team Preview
The Wizards didn’t have a decent outing last season. It was clear that they would have to do a lot of work in the offseason to prepare a better team – and that is what they have done.
They started their revamping process after re-signing power forward Anthony Gill and forwards Richaun Holmes and Tristan Vukcevic. In addition, the Wizards signed free agent small forward Saddiq Bey and acquired point guard Malcolm Brogdon and center Jonas Valanciunas via trades.
The Wizards traded Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Deni Avdija. In exchange, the Wizards received the number 14 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks. The number 14 pick in the draft was point guard Bub Carrington.
For Valanciunas, the Wizards signed a sign-and-trade agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans, who received a protected 2027 second-round pick in return.
In the NBA draft, the Wizards picked French power forward Alex Sarr, along with small forwards Dillon Jones and Melvin Ajinca. The same day, they traded Jones’ and Ajinca’s rights to the New York Knicks for shooting guard Kyshawn George, the Knicks’ 24th overall pick.
Point guard Tyus Jones has left the Wizards after playing for one season and signed with the Phoenix Suns. The Wizards decided to waive shooting guard Landry Shamet. He signed with the New York Knicks for this season as a free agent.
Jules Bernard is this season’s only unsigned free agent in the Wizards’ roster.
Malcolm Brogdon and Saddiq Bey are the two players who are out with injuries for the Wizards. Brogdon, who injured his right hand at a practice game, is expected to make a return by November 10. Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee back in March, is out until December 3.
New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards: Head-to-Head and Odds
The Knicks and the Wizards have faced each other on 318 occasions. The Wizards have won 136 out of these 318 matches, while the Knicks have been victorious on 182 occasions. The Knicks have won the last five matches against the Wizards.
In their last outing against each other in January this year, the Knicks defeated the Wizards 113 to 109 in a closely contested game.
Also, the Wizards have not made it past the second round of the playoffs since 1979, while the Knicks last won the championship back in 1973.
For more information about betting on this fixture, visit the 7bet NBA betting page.
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