The New York Knicks will be without OG Anunoby (left hamstring strain) and Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain) for Wednesday’s NBA Cup matchup at the Spectrum Center.
Charlotte will also be short-handed, with Pat Connaughton (right calf strain), Josh Green (left shoulder surgery), and Grant Williams (right knee surgery) sidelined. The Hornets will also miss several two-way and G League players, including Drew Peterson, Antonio Reeves, Tidjane Salaun, and KJ Simpson.
The Knicks have leaned on Jalen Brunson, who leads the team with 28.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributes 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per contest. Mikal Bridges adds 16.3 points and 4.7 assists.
Charlotte has struggled to maintain consistency, losing six straight games and standing at 4-13 overall. Miles Bridges (22.0 PPG) and LaMelo Ball (21.2 PPG, 9.3 APG) will be counted on heavily to produce offensively without Connaughton and Green. Kon Knueppel also provides scoring and rebounding support, averaging 19.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Knicks enter the matchup after a 113-100 victory over the Nets on November 24, following a 121-133 loss at Orlando two days earlier. New York’s 10-6 record reflects a team capable of overcoming injuries but still seeking stability on the road.
Charlotte has lost 110-113 to the Hawks on November 23 and 116-131 to the Clippers on November 22, extending their struggling start to the season. The Hornets aim to leverage home court at the Spectrum Center to snap their six-game skid despite multiple absences.
Wednesday’s game, scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, will be the first meeting between these two teams in the 2025-26 season.
