Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks – Preview & Prediction (Jan. 28, 2026)

Recent form and key players

Toronto comes into this game riding a four-game winning streak that included tough road victories and a narrow home win over one of the league’s top teams. Under coach Darko Rajakovic the Raptors (29–19) have leaned on an aggressive defense all season — they’re among the leaders in fast-break scoring and create a lot of turnovers — while their offense has been more workmanlike than flashy. Their attack is balanced, with several players capable of producing on any given night.

The New York Knicks (28–18) bounced back from a rough stretch by putting together three straight wins, including a convincing divisional victory and a key road win against a strong opponent. Jalen Brunson has been the steadying presence, while role players like OG Anunoby, Landry Shamet and Josh Hart have made important contributions in recent games. Overall the Knicks still rank highly on offense this season, but their recent 15-game form has dipped on both ends of the floor.

Matchup notes, injuries and prediction

These teams have already met twice this season, with New York taking both meetings, so the Knicks have a clear psychological edge. Matchups will come down to whether Toronto’s defense can disrupt New York’s primary scoring options and whether the Raptors can find consistent offense against a team that can stretch the floor.

Injury update: Toronto will be without Jakob Poeltl, while Collin Murray-Boyles is listed as questionable. New York has no major injury concerns heading into this game.

Tip-off: Wednesday, January 28 — 7:30 p.m. EST.

Prediction: The Knicks should get the job done here. They’ve already beaten Toronto twice this season, have the momentum from recent wins and boast the lineup depth to withstand a physical Toronto defense. Expect a close, competitive game, but give the edge to New York.

Note: This is a game preview and view-based prediction for informational purposes.