Knicks Face Blazers for First Time Since Hart Trade

Coming off a big win against the Lakers on Sunday night, the Knicks head to Portland to square off against some familiar faces.

The New York Knicks (40-30) will try to break even on this West Coast trip when they face the Portland Trail Blazers (31-37) this evening. This will be the first time that the two teams have faced each other since striking up a deal on the night before the NBA trade deadline. In case you forgot, here’s a look at the final trade details:

FULL TRADE:

Knicks receive:
• Josh Hart

Blazers receive:
• Cam Reddish
• Svi Mykhailiuk
• Ryan Arcidiacano
• Knicks 2023 1st Round Pick (Top 14 Protected)
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) February 9, 2023

It’s been a tale of two stories heading into this matchup, as the Knicks have gone 10-3 with Josh Hart in the lineup and the Blazers just 4-9 with Cam Reddish playing. Nonetheless, Reddish will look to show New York what they were missing when he was benched. Regardless of all the narratives surrounding the trade, fans should be happy to see Reddish getting playing time elsewhere as he looks to continue on with his career.

Over his last ten games, Cam Reddish, 23, is averaging 15.0 PPG on 62% TS (47/40/85), 3.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.3 3P/G. He’s more than just some reclamation project; he can really play, and he’s BEEN nice. Just needed the right opportunity/situation. Here he is Fri at PHI: pic.twitter.com/PQwqS0IIeW
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 11, 2023

Heading into this matchup, Damian Lillard (calf) and Jerami Grant (quadriceps) are both questionable for tonight’s matchup. Whoever comes to play for Portland tonight, the Knicks will be ready for whatever comes their way. For New York, Jalen Brunson (ankle) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s matchup. Given that the Knicks missed him for the entire road trip outside of the first half of the Kings game last Thursday, it’s likely that he sits once again. Between the rest on this road trip and the three-day break between tonight’s game and their next game on Saturday versus Denver, Brunson will be well rested and hopefully good to go for the remainder of the season as the Knicks look toward the playoffs.

The last time these two teams faced off was back in November when the Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 132-129 in overtime at the Garden. While Damian Lillard was out for Portland, Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant stepped up to the plate, scoring a combined 82 points. Fouls were a large issue for the Knicks back in that game, as the Blazers were able to step to the free throw line 51 times throughout the course of this game. Josh Hart was a catalyst for Portland in this game, scoring 10 points and securing 19 rebounds. Although Hart now dons a Knicks jersey, limiting what Lillard, Simons, and Grant in their spots on the offensive end will put New York in a position to win.

Tip-off is at 10:00 pm on MSG Network and MSGGO.