NEW YORK, United States, October 15, 2026: Two nights after Toronto humiliated them by 50 points, the defending NBA champion New York Knicks found a way to beat the same opponents 122-120 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Karl-Anthony Towns finished one assist short of a triple-double, while Jalen Brunson scored 20 points to help New York reverse an extraordinary preseason embarrassment. In Houston, the Rockets delivered a very different statement, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-89 after opening the game with an 18-point first-quarter advantage.
The two games offered contrasting lessons ahead of the NBA’s October 20 regular-season opening. New York’s 52-point swing in margin against Toronto demonstrated how dramatically changing lineups and execution can alter preseason results, with Towns contributing 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Houston spread its scoring across the rotation, attempted 53 three-pointers and received 15 points from Bogdan Bogdanović, while Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams led all scorers in that game with 18. Both results provided useful evidence about team readiness, although neither establishes what will happen when competitive regular-season rotations return.
NBA Preseason Results: October 15, 2026
| Game | Final Score | Key Performer | Winning Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks | Knicks 122-120 | Karl-Anthony Towns: 13 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists | 2 points |
| Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets | Rockets 116-89 | Bogdan Bogdanović: 15 points, 5 three-pointers | 27 points |
Both games were played Thursday evening in the United States, corresponding to Friday morning, October 16, in Pakistan.
They followed a seven-game Wednesday schedule featuring strong performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Duren and Victor Wembanyama, examined in The Sports Encounter’s previous NBA preseason report.
Story at a glance
NBA Preseason Results: October 15, 2026
Both games were played Thursday evening in the United States, corresponding to Friday morning, October 16, in Pakistan.
Knicks Reverse a 50-Point Defeat With a Two-Point Escape Against Toronto
The contrast between New York’s two meetings with Toronto was extraordinary.
Andre Drummond and Jose Alvarado Strengthen New York’s Supporting Cast
New York’s reserves made several important contributions.
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett Keep Toronto Within Reach
Toronto’s defeat should not obscure several strong individual performances.
Rockets Build an 18-Point First-Quarter Lead and Never Relinquish Control
Houston’s victory over Oklahoma City followed a considerably different pattern.
Thursday’s smaller schedule allowed a closer examination of two very different questions: how New York responded to an embarrassing defeat and what Houston’s perimeter-heavy offense revealed before opening night.
Knicks Reverse a 50-Point Defeat With a Two-Point Escape Against Toronto
The contrast between New York’s two meetings with Toronto was extraordinary.
On October 13, the Raptors defeated the Knicks 148-98, producing the kind of scoreline that rarely accompanies a defending NBA champion, even during preseason.
Forty-eight hours later, the Knicks won the rematch.
The 122-120 victory represented a 52-point improvement in New York’s result relative to Toronto, moving from a 50-point defeat to a two-point victory.
But the rematch also offered a more useful basketball explanation than simply describing it as revenge.
New York’s personnel, offensive organization and performance differed substantially from the earlier encounter.
Preseason rematches are especially sensitive to lineup changes, minutes restrictions and the experimental combinations coaches use before the regular season.
The difference in results therefore should not be treated as proof that New York improved by 52 points in two days.
Instead, Thursday’s game provided another opportunity to examine how the Knicks operate with established players contributing in more representative roles.
Karl-Anthony Towns Nearly Completes a Triple-Double
Towns supplied the most complete statistical performance of the Knicks’ victory.
The center finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in approximately 29 minutes.
He made four of eight field-goal attempts, including two three-pointers, while collecting three offensive rebounds.
The nine assists were especially significant.
They showed how effectively Towns can contribute as a distributor rather than functioning exclusively as a scoring option.
His ability to operate away from the basket, identify cutters and move the ball across the floor gives New York additional ways to generate offense when opponents concentrate on Jalen Brunson.
The 15 rebounds also helped the Knicks establish a 43-39 advantage on the glass.
New York’s rebounding effort was particularly productive at the offensive end, where it collected 15 offensive rebounds compared with Toronto’s nine.
Those additional opportunities helped compensate for several inefficient individual shooting performances.
Jalen Brunson Provides the Scoring Anchor
Brunson led New York with 20 points.
For a team preparing to defend its NBA championship, his presence remains central to the offensive structure.
Brunson’s ability to organize possessions and create his own scoring opportunities provides a different attacking option alongside Towns’ distribution.
The partnership helped New York reach 122 points despite receiving only six points from OG Anunoby, who shot 2-of-10 from the field.
That detail matters because it illustrates how the Knicks can generate enough offense even when an important rotation player struggles to score efficiently.
TSE previously examined Brunson’s importance during New York’s championship-clinching victory over San Antonio in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Thursday offered a lower-stakes opportunity to test the same fundamental principle: the Knicks become harder to defend when opponents must account for multiple decision-makers.
Andre Drummond and Jose Alvarado Strengthen New York’s Supporting Cast
New York’s reserves made several important contributions.
Andre Drummond scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and supplied four assists in approximately 15 minutes.
He converted six of seven field-goal attempts, providing efficient interior production while Towns was off the floor.
Drummond’s rebounding remains particularly valuable for a team that wants to maintain a physical presence across different center combinations.
Jose Alvarado contributed nine points and three assists in approximately 14 minutes.
All three of his field goals came from three-point range, and he made all three attempts.
That shooting performance added valuable perimeter production from the bench.
The Knicks also received six points from Tyler Kolek, who converted two of three three-point attempts.
These contributions helped New York overcome its uneven production elsewhere in the lineup.
The Knicks Assisted on More Than 81% of Their Made Field Goals
The most revealing team statistic was New York’s passing production.
According to the official NBA box score, the Knicks recorded 35 assists on 43 made field goals.
That means 81.4% of their successful field goals were assisted.
Toronto recorded 27 assists on 40 made baskets, an assisted-field-goal rate of 67.5%.
| Statistic | New York | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 122 | 120 |
| Field-goal percentage | 47.8% | 50.6% |
| Three-pointers made | 15 | 13 |
| Assists | 35 | 27 |
| Total rebounds | 43 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 20 |
Toronto actually shot a higher percentage from the field, but New York made three more baskets, collected six additional offensive rebounds and recorded eight more assists.
The numbers provide a useful explanation for how the Knicks survived such a close game despite the Raptors’ efficient shooting.
They also identify a concern.
New York committed 19 turnovers, a figure that leaves considerable room for improvement as the regular season approaches.
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett Keep Toronto Within Reach
Toronto’s defeat should not obscure several strong individual performances.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 23 points, making nine of 15 field-goal attempts.
He also converted four of five three-pointers and contributed four assists and four blocks.
Barnes’ combination of outside shooting and defensive disruption was among the game’s most encouraging individual displays.
RJ Barrett added 21 points and eight rebounds, while Immanuel Quickley produced 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
Toronto’s three leading contributors therefore combined for 62 points.
That production explains why New York never turned its offensive improvement into a comfortable victory.
Kawhi Leonard finished with six points in approximately 23 minutes, making two of five shots.
His relatively modest scoring return contrasted with the earlier meeting, when Toronto’s emphatic victory had provided a very different platform for the Raptors’ established and developing players.
What Did Toronto Learn From the Rematch?
The Raptors demonstrated that they can generate efficient offense against a stronger New York lineup.
However, their six-rebound disadvantage on the offensive glass and lower assisted-basket rate provide areas worth examining before the season begins.
Toronto’s performance also reinforces why preseason scorelines should be interpreted cautiously.
The 50-point victory and two-point defeat involved the same opponents within three days, yet produced dramatically different outcomes.
That makes the pair of games more valuable as a study of lineup usage and execution than as a reliable prediction of the teams’ regular-season standings.
Rockets Build an 18-Point First-Quarter Lead and Never Relinquish Control
Houston’s victory over Oklahoma City followed a considerably different pattern.
The Rockets opened with a 33-15 first quarter, immediately placing the Thunder under pressure.
Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson helped establish Houston’s early attacking rhythm, combining productive interior play with energetic movement.
Oklahoma City responded more effectively in the second quarter through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
But Houston maintained enough control to prevent the Thunder from establishing sustained momentum.
The Rockets subsequently strengthened their position through contributions from Bogdan Bogdanović, Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard.
The final score of 116-89 reflected Houston’s broader ability to generate scoring opportunities across several lineup combinations.
The official Rockets box score confirms the result and leading player statistics.
Bogdan Bogdanović Leads Houston With Five Three-Pointers
Bogdanović supplied Houston’s leading scoring contribution.
The veteran guard finished with 15 points and six rebounds, making five of eight three-point attempts.
His shooting offered a clear example of the perimeter threat Houston hopes to develop as its roster evolves.
A reliable outside shooter can make it more difficult for opponents to collapse defensively around Sengun or crowd driving lanes used by Thompson.
Bogdanović’s performance therefore mattered beyond his 15 points.
It showed how quickly accurate perimeter shooting can change the geometry of Houston’s offense.
Sengun, Durant and Thompson Share the Offensive Work
Sengun finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Thompson contributed 12 points, while Kevin Durant added 11.
Reed Sheppard also scored 11, giving Houston several contributors in double figures.
Fred VanVleet finished with eight assists and no turnovers, a particularly encouraging combination for a team trying to improve its offensive organization.
VanVleet’s ability to distribute without surrendering possession can help Houston maintain rhythm when different combinations of scorers share the floor.
The Rockets’ offense has already demonstrated strong potential during preseason.
Earlier in October, Sengun recorded a triple-double in a 135-117 victory over Dallas in Macao, while VanVleet made an important contribution during his comeback.
Houston’s latest performance adds a different piece of evidence: scoring balance accompanied by substantial perimeter volume.
Why Houston’s 53 Three-Point Attempts Deserve Attention
The most interesting team-wide development may be Houston’s willingness to shoot from beyond the arc.
The Rockets attempted 53 three-pointers against Oklahoma City.
For comparison, New York attempted 42 in its victory over Toronto.
The 11-attempt difference is meaningful because it points toward a deliberate willingness to create offense from the perimeter.
Houston’s approach can produce several advantages.
It can stretch defensive coverage, create driving opportunities and increase the value of productive possessions when shooters are accurate.
But it also introduces potential volatility.
A team attempting that many threes can become vulnerable when shots stop falling, particularly if offensive rebounding and transition defense do not compensate for misses.
Houston’s coaching staff will need to evaluate whether this shooting volume represents the team’s preferred regular-season identity or simply an experimental preseason approach.
Tari Eason offered another encouraging performance, recording 12 points in approximately 17 minutes.
His growing confidence as a ball handler and outside shooter could provide Houston with more lineup flexibility, although preseason improvement must still be tested against regular-season defensive intensity.
Jalen Williams Leads Oklahoma City, but the Thunder Struggle for Consistency
Oklahoma City’s defeat came despite a strong contribution from Jalen Williams.
The forward scored 18 points on seven-of-14 shooting, adding seven rebounds.
He made two of five three-point attempts.
Williams’ production provided an important individual positive on an otherwise difficult night for the Thunder.
But the early 33-15 deficit placed Oklahoma City in a position where it had to chase Houston for much of the contest.
That game state became especially difficult against a Rockets team willing to create scoring opportunities from multiple positions.
The result leaves Oklahoma City with a 1-4 preseason record, while Houston finishes 2-1.
Those records carry limited predictive value.
Coaches often prioritize minutes management, tactical experimentation and player evaluations over exhibition results.
Still, the Thunder’s early defensive difficulties and Houston’s perimeter production provide specific areas for both coaching staffs to evaluate before opening night.
Continue the NBA Story
What Do the Knicks and Rockets Performances Reveal Before Opening Night?
The two victories produced different forms of encouraging evidence.
| Area | New York Knicks | Houston Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Most revealing performance | Towns: 13 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists | Bogdanović: 15 points, five made threes |
| Offensive strength | 35 assists and 15 offensive rebounds | Broad scoring contributions and 53 three-point attempts |
| Key concern | 19 turnovers and a narrow finish | Whether high-volume perimeter shooting remains efficient |
| Immediate takeaway | Better coordination with established contributors | Encouraging spacing and offensive versatility |
New York’s biggest positive was its ability to transform an earlier blowout defeat into a competitive victory while moving the ball effectively.
Houston’s was the speed and range of its attack.
Both developments are encouraging, but they concern different stages of team preparation.
The Knicks are trying to preserve the championship identity established during their 2026 title run. The Rockets are evaluating how their revised personnel and spacing can strengthen an established Western Conference contender.
The Sports Encounter previously explored those wider challenges in its analysis of the NBA offseason changes shaping the 2027 championship race.
Neither team can assume that preseason success automatically translates into regular-season wins.
What Should the Knicks and Rockets Watch Before Their First Regular-Season Games?
New York: Can Towns’ Playmaking Remain This Productive?
Towns’ nine assists were arguably more interesting than his 13 points.
If he continues to distribute effectively, the Knicks can reduce their dependence on Brunson creating every difficult possession.
But New York must also lower its turnover count and improve the consistency of its supporting shooters.
The challenge becomes immediate on October 20, when the Knicks are scheduled to host Philadelphia.
The Sports Encounter previously examined the matchup in its preview of LeBron James’ Philadelphia debut against the defending champions.
The 76ers’ projected lineup presents multiple challenges, with LeBron, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown among the principal offensive options.
TSE has also examined the possible strengths and vulnerabilities of Philadelphia’s star-heavy starting five.
For New York, offensive movement will matter, but defensive discipline and ball security may be equally important.
Houston: Can the Shooting Volume Survive Regular-Season Defense?
Houston begins its regular season against Dallas on October 21.
The Rockets will have an opportunity to test whether their heavy three-point approach can remain productive against a team preparing a complete defensive game plan.
Bogdanović’s shooting, VanVleet’s passing and Eason’s development offer useful reasons for optimism.
The bigger challenge will be blending those individual strengths without sacrificing defensive balance.
The Sports Encounter’s earlier examination of the 2026-27 championship contenders and Western Conference expectations provides further context for Houston’s challenge against teams such as Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
NBA Preseason October 15: Frequently Asked Questions
How many NBA preseason games were played on October 15, 2026?
Two games were played. The New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Raptors 122-120, and the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-89.
Who led the Knicks against Toronto?
Jalen Brunson scored a team-high 20 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.
Did Karl-Anthony Towns record a triple-double?
No. Towns finished one assist short, recording 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.
How did the Knicks reverse their 50-point defeat?
New York used a more productive passing offense, recorded 35 assists and collected 15 offensive rebounds. Changes in player availability and lineup usage also limit direct comparisons between the two preseason meetings.
Who scored the most points for Houston against Oklahoma City?
Bogdan Bogdanović led Houston with 15 points, making five three-pointers.
How many three-pointers did Houston attempt?
The Rockets attempted 53 three-pointers during their 116-89 victory.
Who led Oklahoma City in scoring?
Jalen Williams scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season begin?
The NBA regular season begins October 20, 2026. The Knicks are scheduled to host Philadelphia that day, while Houston opens against Dallas on October 21.
The Final Preseason Lesson: Execution Matters More Than Exhibition Margins
The Knicks’ dramatic reversal against Toronto and Houston’s dominant victory over Oklahoma City provided two useful pieces of late-preseason evidence.
New York demonstrated that its offense can function efficiently through Towns’ passing, Brunson’s scoring and productive supporting contributions.
Houston showed the potential value of a wider attacking rotation, improved perimeter spacing and reliable ball distribution.
But each result also leaves questions that preseason cannot answer conclusively.
The Knicks must demonstrate greater ball security against regular-season opponents. Houston must establish whether its heavy three-point approach can remain efficient when defensive intensity increases.
For Toronto and Oklahoma City, Thursday’s defeats provide specific film to review rather than definitive judgments on their season prospects.
New York’s 52-point turnaround in result was the most dramatic numerical development of the night. Houston’s 53 three-point attempts may prove the more revealing tactical experiment.
Both will be tested soon enough.
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