NEW YORK, 25 March 2026 – The New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans renewed their interconference rivalry last night at Madison Square Garden in a game with major implications for both sides. The Knicks, riding a six-game winning streak and sitting third in the Eastern Conference, aimed to solidify their playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the visiting Pelicans, on the fringe of the Western Conference playoff picture, faced a virtual must-win scenario to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Head-to-Head History
The all-time series between these two franchises is as even as it gets. According to historical records, the Knicks and Pelicans have split their 48 regular-season meetings right down the middle.
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| All-Time Record (Regular Season) | 48 Games Played |
| New York Knicks Wins | 24 |
| New Orleans Pelicans Wins | 24 |
| Last Meeting | 29 December 2025 – Knicks 130, Pelicans 125 |
| Last 5 Meetings (Last 3 Seasons) | New York leads 3-2 |
Latest Updates & Game Context
The clash on Tuesday, 24 March, was the second and final meeting of the 2025-26 season between the teams. Entering the game, the Knicks (47-25) were one of the league’s hottest teams, having just dismantled the Washington Wizards 145-113 two days prior for their sixth consecutive victory. Their offence has been firing on all cylinders during this late-season surge.
The Pelicans (25-47) arrived in New York on the back of a tough loss, falling 111-106 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on 21 March after being outscored 35-18 in the fourth quarter. With their playoff chances hanging by a thread, the game against the Knicks was labelled a “do or die” contest by fans and analysts alike. A loss would mathematically eliminate New Orleans from postseason contention.
In the season’s first matchup in New Orleans on 29 December 2025, the Knicks emerged with a 130-125 victory. Pelicans star Zion Williamson scored 32 points in that losing effort, highlighting the individual talent that New York’s defence needed to contain once again.
Public Pulse
Fan interest in the matchup was high, with active game threads on team-specific subreddits like r/NYKnicks and r/NOLAPelicans throughout the evening. The prevailing sentiment among neutral observers was that this game carried significant weight for the Pelicans’ fading playoff dreams. One popular discussion on r/nba succinctly noted, “If they lose this game, then they are eliminated from playoff contention.” Meanwhile, Knicks fans were cautiously optimistic about extending their winning streak against a desperate opponent, viewing the final stretch of the season as a “perfect opportunity to catch fire as the playoffs approach.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-time record between the Knicks and Pelicans?
The series is perfectly balanced, with both teams having won 24 of the 48 all-time regular-season meetings.
When did the teams last play before 24 March 2026?
They last faced each other on 29 December 2025 in New Orleans, a game won by the New York Knicks, 130-125.
What was at stake for the Pelicans in this game?
Entering the contest with a 25-47 record and sitting 11th in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans needed a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes mathematically alive. A loss would result in elimination from postseason contention.
How had the Knicks been performing leading up to this game?
The New York Knicks were one of the NBA’s hottest teams, having won six games in a row to improve to a 47-25 record, firmly in third place in the Eastern Conference.