The New York Knicks enter their March 25, 2025, matchup against the Dallas Mavericks facing a period of adjustment due to injuries to key players. Jalen Brunson, the team’s leading scorer and primary playmaker, remains sidelined with an ankle sprain, averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists per game prior to his injury. His absence has necessitated a reshuffling of the backcourt, with Cam Payne stepping into the starting point guard role and rookie Tyler Kolek earning increased minutes. Payne has contributed solid performances, including a 13-point outing in his recent start. Kolek, in his first significant playing time, recorded eight assists and three steals in 18 minutes against the Washington Wizards, showcasing his potential as a facilitator. With the backcourt adjusting on the fly, the Knicks have turned to their frontcourt stars to carry the offensive load. Karl-Anthony Towns has been a stabilizing force in the paint, averaging over 23 points and 10 rebounds since joining the Knicks midseason, and recently posted a dominant 30-point, 15-rebound performance that underscored his ability to take over games. His versatility as a stretch big who can shoot from beyond the arc, operate in the low post, and initiate offense from the elbow makes him a matchup nightmare for most teams, particularly a shorthanded Mavericks squad that may be without Dereck Lively II. Alongside Towns, OG Anunoby has emerged as one of the Knicks’ most reliable two-way players, evidenced by his explosive 40-point performance on 16-of-23 shooting in the team’s most recent victory. Anunoby’s elite perimeter defense, combined with improved shot creation, has helped the Knicks weather the absence of Brunson and maintain a competitive edge. Defensively, the Knicks continue to pride themselves on physicality and discipline.

They rank among the league’s top teams in opponent field goal percentage and points allowed per game, thanks to strong wing defenders like Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, who consistently contest shots and force tough decisions on the perimeter. The interior is held down by Towns and Isaiah Hartenstein, the latter providing gritty rebounding, rim protection, and second-chance effort plays that rarely appear in box scores but matter immensely in tight contests. Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes rely heavily on quick closeouts and help-side rotations, and the Knicks have executed those principles well, even as their depth has been tested. With a current home record well above .500, Madison Square Garden remains one of the league’s most challenging venues for visiting teams. The energy of the crowd—particularly in marquee games like this against a Western Conference contender—has repeatedly given the Knicks an edge in close quarters. Thibodeau’s squads often feed off this energy, using their physical play and defensive intensity to grind down opponents. With the Mavericks potentially missing Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, and Lively II, New York will look to apply pressure early and test the resolve of Kyrie Irving and the remaining Dallas rotation. Offensively, the key for the Knicks will be maintaining rhythm without Brunson. Cam Payne and Kolek must continue to keep the ball moving, ensure Towns gets touches in his preferred spots, and find Anunoby in rhythm. Floor spacing will be critical, especially if the Mavericks choose to collapse inside on Towns, and wings like DiVincenzo and Hart must be ready to knock down open shots. The Knicks also need to capitalize on fast-break opportunities off turnovers and long rebounds, where their athleticism and depth can give them an edge. In sum, this game offers the Knicks a significant opportunity to assert their resilience and adaptability. With playoff seeding on the line and their star point guard still recovering, this is a chance for the rest of the roster to step up and deliver a statement win at home. Against a Dallas team reeling from its own injuries, the Knicks’ size, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring make them a formidable challenge—and one that could further solidify their standing as a dark horse contender in the East.