Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks on Tuesday, February 9 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Knicks about a 81% chance, and the Hornets would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 81%, with a projected score of Charlotte Hornets 111, New York Knicks 120. The rating gap is 153 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Knicks on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Hornets are 2-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -13. The Knicks are 0-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.8.
The Hornets were beaten 128-81 at home by ATL not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Kylan Boswell (CHA), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Coby White (CHA), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Kon Knueppel (CHA), expected back Oct 26, 2026, and Grant Williams (CHA), expected back Oct 30, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Jose Alvarado (NYK). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Knicks lead 4-3, with the Knicks outscoring the Hornets by an average of 3.7 points per game. The last meeting was CHA 110, NYK 96.