The 12 months could also be winding down, however for at the very least a number of of New York’s groups, the season is beginning to warmth up.
The Knicks and St. John’s each have a number of premium matchups between now and the beginning of 2026.
And whereas different locals are farther from competition, there may be nonetheless intrigue on their upcoming schedules, too.
In order the remainder of town settles into their vacation holidays, here’s a take a look at December’s largest video games.
Giants @ New England Patriots, Dec. 1
This sport marks the “Monday Night Football” debut of Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and, extra importantly, his return from a two-game absence resulting from a concussion.
It additionally marks the Giants’ first time dealing with second-year Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, whom they tried exhausting to commerce up for within the 2024 draft.
Though the Giants (2-10) are eradicated from playoff competition, each sport is important to Dart’s improvement.
St. John’s vs. Ole Miss, Dec. 6
It’s been an uneven begin for St. John’s (4-3), which is 0-3 towards ranked opponents and 0-2 towards the SEC.
With an virtually solely new roster, it’s comprehensible that the Johnnies are nonetheless constructing chemistry and attempting issues out.
However head coach Rick Pitino scheduled a non-conference gauntlet so as to determine his group’s weaknesses as early as potential, and that continues when St. John’s faces Ole Miss at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Coached by Chris Beard, the Rebels play with a tireless defensive depth. Their main scorer, AJ Storr, is a well-recognized face, because the senior guard spent his freshman 12 months at St. John’s earlier than Pitino’s arrival.
Knicks vs. Orlando Magic, Dec. 7
The Magic have been a thorn within the Knicks’ facet, beating them in each of their conferences this season.
Orlando’s physicality has been an issue for the Knicks, as has ahead Franz Wagner, who averaged 32.5 factors on 56.1% taking pictures over the primary two video games.
Subsequent weekend’s rematch on the Backyard affords the Knicks a possibility to make an early season assertion towards one other group rising as a contender within the wide-open Jap Convention.
The Magic would possibly nonetheless be with out star guard Paolo Banchero, who has not performed since struggling a groin pressure towards the Knicks on Nov. 12.
St. John’s vs. Iona, Dec. 13
This sport on the Backyard is compelling as a result of storyline, not essentially the on-court matchup.
It will likely be Pitino’s first time dealing with Iona since he left the varsity for St. John’s earlier than the 2023-24 season.
Iona employed Pitino in 2020, giving him his first job in school basketball after Louisville fired him three years earlier amid an FBI investigation into fraud and corruption within the sport.
Pitino typically speaks about how vital Iona was to his profession. He led the Gaels to 2 NCAA Match appearances throughout his three seasons there.
Giants vs. Washington Commanders, Dec. 14
That is the Giants’ solely divisional matchup in December, though they’re set to wrap up the season with a Week 18 dwelling sport towards the Dallas Cowboys after the brand new 12 months.
Traditionally, the Giants have dominated Washington, however the Commanders gained every of the final three conferences, together with in Week 1.
It stays to be seen if Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels might be again for this sport at MetLife Stadium after dislocating his left elbow in Week 9.
St. John’s vs. DePaul, Dec. 16
Extra St. John’s! That is the Johnnies’ first sport towards a Huge East opponent, albeit a lowly one.
Final 12 months, St. John’s tied a convention document by going 18-2 in Huge East play.
That might be tough to copy, however the slate begins right here with a uncommon convention sport at Carnesecca Area.
St. John’s vs. Kentucky, Dec. 20
Right here’s the massive one.
Pitino coached Kentucky from 1989-97 and led the Wildcats to a nationwide championship in 1996. He then turned an enemy when he coached rival Louisville from 2001-17.
That is set to be Pitino’s first time dealing with Kentucky since 2016.
The matchup will happen on a impartial court docket at Atlanta’s State Farm Area as a part of the CBS Sports activities Basic event.
Jets @ New Orleans Saints, Dec. 21
This showdown of cellar-dwellers is much from attractive, however it may very well be consequential.
Presently, the Saints (2-9) are in place for the No. 3 choose in subsequent 12 months’s draft, whereas the Jets (2-9) are proper behind them at No. 4.
This Week 16 final result might need vital implications for 2 groups trying to find a franchise quarterback, particularly in a draft that seems gentle on can’t-miss QBs.
Knicks @ Minnesota Timberwolves, Dec. 23
These matchups will all the time carry intrigue after the October 2024 commerce that despatched Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota.
The Knicks gained this season’s first assembly, 137-114, on the Backyard on Nov. 5
Devils @ Islanders, Dec. 23
The Devils have come again to Earth a bit after their 8-1 begin, however they’re nonetheless among the many prime groups within the East.
So are the Islanders, who beat them, 3-2 in time beyond regulation, at Prudential Heart on Nov. 10.
Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Dec. 25
In one other battle of Jap Convention contenders, the Knicks are set to host the Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
The Cavs are the defending East No. 1 seed, although they’ve been far more up and down this season in comparison with final, once they began 15-0 and completed with 64 wins.
The Knicks beat Cleveland within the season opener, which additionally happened on the Backyard, however Cleveland was with out Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter in that one.
Rangers @ Islanders, Dec. 27
The primary sport between these rivals was as lopsided because it will get, with the Islanders cruising to a 5-0 win on the Backyard on Nov. 8.
In fact, the Rangers have been infinitely higher on the street this season, so that they’ll strive once more at UBS Area after Christmas.
Jets vs. Patriots, Dec. 28
These longtime rivals are in very totally different locations proper now, however the Jets had been inside a landing of the Pats (10-2) going into the fourth quarter of this season’s first assembly.
Justin Fields was the Jets’ quarterback in that 27-14 loss and has since been changed by Tyrod Taylor.
The sequence now shifts to MetLife Stadium, the place the Jets will attempt to play spoiler as New England makes an attempt to nail down the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Nets vs. Golden State Warriors, Dec. 29
The Nets are in the course of a full-blown rebuild, however they’ll nonetheless be a sizzling ticket when a fan favourite involves city.
And whereas it gained’t be low-cost to look at Stephen Curry at Barclays Heart in the course of the coronary heart of the vacations, it can definitely be more economical than attempting to catch him on the Backyard a number of weeks later.
One added wrinkle: Chris DeMarco, a Warriors assistant all through their dynasty, will quickly name Barclays Heart dwelling, because the Liberty employed the up-and-comer as their head coach this month.
Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs, Dec. 31
Final 12 months, the Knicks hosted the Spurs on Christmas, and Victor Wembanyama erupted for 42 factors, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks.
This 12 months, the Spurs host the Knicks on New Yr’s Eve, and San Antonio seems to be a lot improved.
It will likely be fascinating to see how Wembanyama celebrates this vacation towards the Knicks — assuming he’s again from the left calf damage that’s presently hampering him.
