Magic vs Knicks: New York Seeks Revenge in Season Series Finale

The Orlando Magic are looking to complete a rare three-game season sweep of the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, but the home team has other plans. After dropping both previous matchups by a combined 29 points, the Knicks are entering this midday showdown with momentum—and a major injury concern.

A Season Series Dominated by Orlando

The Magic have owned this matchup so far in 2025, delivering two convincing victories that handed New York its only home loss of the season. On November 12, Orlando cruised to a 124-107 road victory at MSG despite losing star forward Paolo Banchero to a groin injury in the second quarter—an injury that would sideline him for the next 10 games.

Less than two weeks later, the Magic completed the double with a 133-121 home win on November 22. Franz Wagner led the charge with 37 points on an efficient 68.4-percent shooting, while Desmond Bane added 27 points and Jalen Suggs contributed 26. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson's 33 points and season-high 11 assists weren't enough to overcome Orlando's offensive firepower.

Wagner has been particularly dominant against New York this season, averaging well over 30 points per game in the two matchups. His scoring prowess has been the difference-maker, and the Knicks know containing him will be essential to avoiding the sweep.

Towns Ruled Out: A Major Blow for New York

The Knicks received a significant setback just before tipoff when Karl-Anthony Towns was ruled out due to left calf tightness. The All-Star center, who has been averaging 22.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this season, attempted to warm up but couldn't shake the discomfort that landed him on the injury report Saturday with a questionable tag.

Towns' absence means Mitchell Robinson will likely see expanded minutes at center, with the Knicks potentially turning to smaller lineups featuring OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. Anunoby just returned this week after missing nine games with a hamstring strain, providing New York with a much-needed defensive boost.

The good news for the Knicks? They're coming off their most dominant performance of the season—a 146-112 demolition of the Utah Jazz on Friday night. New York opened that game with a historic 23-0 run, the longest scoring streak in the NBA since the 1996-97 season when play-by-play tracking began. The Knicks also scored 47 points in the third quarter, setting a franchise record for points in a single quarter.

Banchero Returns as Magic Find Their Rhythm

While the Knicks deal with Towns' absence, the Magic are welcoming back their own star. Banchero returned Friday night against the Miami Heat after missing those 10 games with a groin injury, posting nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of action during a narrow 106-105 victory.

The Magic went 7-3 without Banchero, demonstrating impressive depth and resilience. Now at 14-9 and sitting as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, Orlando trails New York by just 1.5 games in the standings. A win Sunday would not only complete the season sweep but also pull them closer to overtaking the Knicks for third place.

Wagner continues to carry the offensive load, having scored at least 25 points in three consecutive games, including 32 against Miami. His 23.4 points per game lead the Magic, with Banchero averaging 20.7 points and 8.5 rebounds before his injury absence. Jalen Suggs has been a consistent secondary scorer at 14.5 points per game while providing lockdown defense.

The Garden Fortress

Despite the two losses to Orlando, the Knicks have been nearly unbeatable at Madison Square Garden this season. Their 12-1 home record is the team's best start at MSG since the 1992-93 season, and they've won five consecutive home games since that November 12 defeat to the Magic.

Brunson has been the catalyst for New York's success, averaging 27.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. His 33-point performance against Utah marked his 85th game as a Knick with 30-plus points, fourth in franchise history. He also surpassed Bernard King for second all-time in franchise history with his 66th game scoring 30-plus points on 50-percent shooting or better.

Miles McBride has provided a spark off the bench, scoring 22 points on seven three-pointers against Utah. The Knicks' depth will be tested without Towns, but role players like McBride and the returning Anunoby could make the difference.

NBA Cup Tuneup

This matchup serves as more than just a regular season game—it's a final tuneup before both teams enter the NBA Cup knockout stage on Tuesday. The Knicks will face the Toronto Raptors in the quarterfinals, while the Magic take on the Miami Heat, a team they just defeated.

Playing each other for the third time in less than a month should ramp up the intensity and provide a playoff-like atmosphere that both teams can use as preparation. The familiarity between the squads means adjustments and counter-adjustments will be at a premium.

Betting Lines and Expectations

Despite dominating the season series, the Magic opened as 3.5-point road underdogs, though the line has since moved to New York -2 following Towns' injury news. The total is set at 231 points, reflecting both teams' offensive capabilities—the Knicks average 121.4 points per game while the Magic score 118.6.

The Knicks are 5-0 against the spread in their last five home games, while Orlando is 0-3 ATS in their last three overall. Home court advantage appears to be the great equalizer in what should be a tightly contested matchup.

Keys to Victory

For New York, containing Wagner is paramount. The German forward has torched them twice already, and without Towns anchoring the paint, the Knicks will need Anunoby and Bridges to take on the defensive challenge. Brunson must continue his scoring efficiency while Hart will likely need to facilitate more with Towns out of the lineup.

Orlando's path to the sweep runs through Wagner and integrating Banchero back into the offensive flow. If the young star can provide even 70 percent of his usual production, combined with Wagner's hot hand and Suggs' two-way play, the Magic have enough firepower to win on the road.

Final Outlook

This Sunday matinee at Madison Square Garden represents a critical juncture for both Eastern Conference contenders. The Knicks desperately want to avoid a season sweep and prove they can compete with the Magic when it matters, while Orlando seeks to cement their dominance in this head-to-head matchup and make a statement before the NBA Cup knockout rounds.

With Towns out, New York's path becomes more difficult, but the Garden has been a fortress all season. Expect Brunson to elevate his game in front of the home crowd, and don't be surprised if the Knicks' superior home record proves to be the deciding factor. After all, you can only beat a team at their house so many times before they make you pay.

Tipoff is set for 12:00 PM ET, with the game broadcast on MSG Network locally and FanDuel Sports Network Florida for Magic fans. It's a matinee matchup you won't want to miss.