Preview: Rockets at Knicks, Saturday, February 21, 2026 NEW YORK (Interstat) — A high-stakes interconference showdown is set for Madison Square Garden on Saturday night as the New York Knicks host the Houston Rockets, featuring a marquee matchup of veteran stars Kevin Durant and Karl-Anthony Towns. Both teams enter with strong records and recent momentum. The Knicks (36-20) are among the Eastern Conference’s elite and are riding a wave of dominant victories, including a 138-89 rout of Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Rockets (33-20) have won seven of their last ten but are looking to rebound from a narrow 105-102 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night. The spotlight will be on the teams’ leading talents. Houston’s Kevin Durant, the 37-year-old forward, remains a prolific scorer, averaging 24.5 points over his last 10 games. He is coming off a 21-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist performance in the loss to the Clippers. His ability to score from all levels will challenge New York’s defense. For the Knicks, center Karl-Anthony Towns has been a force, recording a double-double in eight of his last ten contests. In the blowout win over the 76ers, he posted 21 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes. His inside-outside game and rebounding prowess will be central to New York’s game plan. The Knicks’ supporting cast has been explosive, with guard Jose Alvarado dropping 26 points off the bench and Mikal Bridges adding 22 in their last outing. Houston counters with a strong frontcourt of its own, featuring Alperen Sengun, who nearly had a triple-double (16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) against the Clippers, and Jabari Smith Jr., who added 16 points and 12 rebounds. This game serves as a critical test for both sides before the stretch run. The Rockets will begin a four-game road trip after this contest, while the Knicks embark on a five-game trip starting Sunday. Securing a win at home against a top Western Conference opponent is a priority for New York, while Houston aims to steal a signature road victory to solidify its standing. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden.