The New York Knicks head to New Orleans on Monday night for a primetime tilt with the Pelicans, and the biggest story before tip is not the stars. It’s the ankles. The final injury updates point to a game shaped by availability, adjustments, and how quickly each side can adapt with the pieces they have at 8:00 pm ET (7:00 pm CT) in the Smoothie King Center.

New York is favored by 8.5 points with a lofty total of 246.5, a number that suggests pace and shot-making even amid uncertainty. That mix of risk and reward frames a matchup where Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III headline — but the role players may decide it.

Knicks injury report: Hart out, Robinson uncertain, McBride likely

The Knicks will not have Josh Hart, who is out with a right ankle sprain. That is a blow to New York’s glue game on the wing: rebounding, defense, and quick decisions in transition. Official reports also list Miles McBride as likely to play through an ankle issue, while rookie guard Tyler Kolek is hampered by an ankle and is to be determined for Monday.

The language from the updates underscores the uncertainty: “Kolek is hampered with an ankle injury, and it remain to seen if he will face Pelicans on Monday.” Another note adds, “McBride is battling an ankle injury, but he is likely to play against the Pelicans on Monday.”

The status of center Mitchell Robinson is the pivot point. One listing frames him as questionable with a left ankle: “Robinson is hampered by an left ankle injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will be active against the Pelicans on Monday.” Another report suggests he’s out. If Robinson sits, Tom Thibodeau will likely toggle more minutes for Karl-Anthony Towns at the five and lean on backup centers to protect the glass.

New York should also redistribute Hart’s wing minutes across Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, with more on-ball work for Brunson and a larger spot for spot-up shooters. The staff could also elevate Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes for pace and point-of-attack defense, especially if McBride is limited.

“If Robinson sits, who boxes out Zion? The glass could decide this.”

Pelicans: Alvarado suspended; Herb Jones’ ankle watch

New Orleans will be without defensive spark Jose Alvarado, who is serving a two-game suspension after a physical altercation: “Alvarado has been suspended for two games for engaging in a physical altercation, and he is not expected to be active against the Knicks on Monday.” That strips the Pelicans of a top-of-the-press energy boost and extra steals.

Herbert Jones, a key two-way wing, is managing an ankle issue. One update says he’s not expected to dress, while other listings have him as questionable. The note is direct: “Jones is dealing with an ankle injury, and he is not expected to dress against the Knicks on Monday.” If he cannot go, New Orleans loses length on the perimeter against Brunson and the Knicks’ shooters.

That puts more on Jordan Poole for ball-handling and creation, and it increases the importance of Trey Murphy III’s spacing. Without Alvarado, New Orleans has fewer easy live-ball turnover chances. The Pelicans will need clean half-court execution to keep up.

“Brunson vs. Zion is the headline, but Trey Murphy’s threes could swing it.”

Betting angle: New York -8.5, total 246.5

The spread leans hard to New York at -8.5, and the total sits high at 246.5. That projection respects the Knicks’ top-end shot creation and their recent scoring profiles. Jalen Brunson’s line (34 points, 5 made threes on average per the latest snapshots) is elite. Karl-Anthony Towns brings 23.5 points and a hefty 14.5 rebounds. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby add steady 3-and-D support.

On the other side, Trey Murphy III’s numbers pop (21.5 points, 3.5 made threes, 2.5 steals). Zion Williamson is a paint problem (21 points, strong finishing, 6 boards). If Herbert Jones sits, the total could rely more on New York’s efficiency and the Pelicans’ shot-making from Murphy and Poole to offset the defensive dip.

“Why is the total 246.5 if both teams are banged up? Pace + threes.”

Matchups that could decide the night

• Second-chance points: If Robinson is out, can New York still win the boards against Zion and Derik Queen (9 rebounds on average)?
• Perimeter volume: Murphy vs. Knicks wings. New York must limit catch-and-shoot threes in transition.
• Point-of-attack defense: Without Alvarado (and maybe Jones), can the Pelicans slow Brunson’s pull-ups and drive-and-kick game?
• Bench creation: If McBride is limited, Quickley and Grimes become key for New York’s second unit; Poole’s shot selection matters for New Orleans.

Players to watch and their recent averages

Knicks

• Jalen Brunson: 34 PTS, 2 REB, 4.5 AST, 1 STL, 5 3PM
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 23.5 PTS, 14.5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1.5 3PM
• Mikal Bridges: 13 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 1.5 STL, 2 3PM
• OG Anunoby: 11.5 PTS, 6 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.5 STL, 1 BLK
• Mitchell Robinson: 3 PTS, 11 REB, 1 BLK (status uncertain)

Pelicans

• Trey Murphy III: 21.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 2 AST, 2.5 STL, 3.5 3PM
• Zion Williamson: 21 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
• Derik Queen: 14 PTS, 9 REB, 2.5 AST
• Jordan Poole: 10 PTS, 3 REB, 4.5 AST
• Saddiq Bey: 13 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.5 AST

Tactical ripple effects to watch

Without Hart, the Knicks lose a trusted connector. Expect more direct Brunson-Towns actions to force switches and pop open threes for Bridges and Anunoby. If Robinson sits, New York’s rim protection drops, so team defense and early help must be clean. That may also push Thibodeau to play a true backup center in short bursts just to balance rebounds.

For the Pelicans, no Alvarado means less gambling at the top. They will need to stay disciplined in drop or switch coverages against Brunson. If Jones is out, Willie Green could size up with Bey or lean into Murphy’s shooting to stretch New York out. The trade-off: more points, but tougher stops.

Big picture

This game sets a tone for both teams heading into the turn of the calendar. New York has the star guard, the spread five, and the odds. New Orleans has the force in Zion and a wing shooter in Murphy who can flip a quarter with one heat-check stretch. If the Knicks control the glass and keep their turnover count low, they should justify the line. If the Pelicans get to the rim at will and hit open threes, this swings fast.

The ankles will be the subplot all night. Watch the first two rotations; they will tell you how each coach plans to cover the gaps. And keep an eye on the total: 246.5 is a big number, but these teams have the shot-makers to make it real.

Note on statuses: Hart is confirmed out (right ankle). McBride is likely. Robinson’s status varies by listing (questionable vs. out). Kolek is to be determined. Alvarado is suspended. Jones has an ankle concern and is not expected/uncertain to dress. Final warm-ups will make the last call.

Either way, bring your attention to the details: who wins the boards, who wins the corner-threes battle, and who stays on the floor. Those little edges can decide a tight December game.