New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors

The game will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The venue is Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, giving the Raptors home-court advantage. This is the quarterfinal of the 2025 NBA Cup, so the stakes are high — winner advances in the tournament.

As for injuries and roster notes: the Raptors will be without RJ Barrett, who remains sidelined with a right-knee sprain. That absence weakens their wing rotation and scoring depth. On the Knicks’ side, Miles McBride is out due to an ankle injury, and Landry Shamet is also unavailable. Meanwhile Karl‑Anthony Towns is listed as questionable with calf tightness — his availability could significantly affect New York’s frontcourt strength.

Tactically, the Knicks under Mike Brown seem likely to rely on their defense and depth. With some starters unavailable or shaky, the bench and role players become more important. The return of OG Anunoby adds versatility: he can guard multiple positions and switch defensively, which could help limit the Raptors’ key scorers. Offensively, New York’s emphasis on ball movement and three-point attempts — combined with interior presence if Towns plays — gives them flexibility. Meanwhile the Raptors under Darko Rajaković may try to lean on primary scorers like Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes and look for mismatches, but with Barrett out and wing depth shaky, spacing and defensive coverages could be compromised.

As the media and pundits preview the matchup, most lean toward the Knicks as favorites. Observers point out New York’s dominance over Toronto in recent meetings — the Knicks have won the last nine games against the Raptors, including a convincing 116–94 win just weeks ago. Given Toronto’s recent slump, inconsistent offense since Barrett’s injury, and depth concerns, many expect New York’s balanced team and defensive discipline to carry them. Still, there’s a recurring caveat: if the Raptors can rally around Ingram and Barnes, deliver strong two-way effort, and force a sloppy Knicks shooting night — especially from three — then Toronto could stay competitive.

From analysts and studio commentary, the key themes emerge: New York’s edge lies in depth, defensive versatility and controlled pace; Toronto’s hope rides on whether their top scorers can rise above roster gaps and generate enough offense. If Towns plays and Anunoby defends effectively, the Knicks are viewed as likely to control the game. On the other hand, if the Raptors’ perimeter defense holds and their offense flows — and if the Knicks’ rotation falters — the game could be tighter than most expect.

Watch and Download New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors, – Tuesday 9 December, 2025, NBA Full Game and Highlights Replay 2025-2026 – NBA Regular Season.

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