Knicks’ Opening Schedule Could Give Mike Brown the Perfect Runway to Experiment
Mike Brown enters his first season as head coach of the New York Knicks with enormous expectations. The franchise just made its deepest playoff run in 25 years before parting ways with its previous coach, and now Brown inherits a roster built to contend for a championship. With the pressure dialed up, he won’t have much time to ease in — but the Knicks’ early-season schedule might give him the ideal window to experiment.
Knicks’ 2025-26 schedule: pic.twitter.com/sf5JvoUkUZ
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 14, 2025
Knicks Open With Favorable Stretch
New York’s first 23 games — leading right into the start of the NBA Cup — lean in their favor. Fourteen of those contests will be played at Madison Square Garden, and more than half of them are against opponents who finished with losing records last season.
The opener is no walk in the park, though: the Knicks face the Boston Celtics. But Boston is entering the season weakened, missing Jayson Tatum due to injury and moving on from Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. That creates an opportunity for the Knicks to strike early.
Other matchups, like their November 19 clash with the Dallas Mavericks — now boasting No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg — or the Miami Heat with newly acquired Norman Powell, could be tougher than they appear on paper. Still, a limited travel schedule and just two back-to-backs provide a huge advantage for New York to settle into rhythm.
A Testing Ground for Mike Brown
For Brown, the first month and a half is less about the win-loss record and more about experimentation. The Knicks already know what works: the core starting five that logged more minutes together than any other unit in the league last season. But Brown also has the freedom to try new wrinkles.
- He could lean on the double-big lineup with Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the look that helped carry New York through the Eastern Conference Finals.
- He could add more shooting and spacing, sliding Deuce McBride or Jordan Clarkson alongside Jalen Brunson in the backcourt.
- Or he could tinker with balanced combinations, finding the sweet spot between defense, size, and playmaking.
The luxury here is time. The schedule gives Brown room to experiment early, without the burden of must-win matchups every night. By the time the season tightens up and playoff positioning comes into focus, both the coach and his players could be battle-tested with different looks and rotations.
Final Thoughts
The Knicks’ 2025-26 season will ultimately be judged by how far they go in the postseason, but the opening stretch could define how prepared they are when it matters most. With a favorable schedule and roster flexibility, Mike Brown has the perfect stage to test lineups, establish chemistry, and prove he’s the right leader to guide the Knicks into a new era of contention.
