What a difference a year makes for reeling Knicks

A lot can change in 12 months.

At this time last year, the Knicks cruised through their January schedule with 14 wins — their most in a month since March 1994 and one shy of the franchise record — and just two losses.

They ripped off an eight-game winning streak that tacked on a ninth victory to start February.

Jalen Brunson argues with an official during the Knicks' blowout loss to the Thunder. — Jalen Brunson argues with an official during the Knicks’ blowout loss to the Thunder.

Their late-December blockbuster to land OG Anunoby, until his elbow injury, hadn’t encountered roadblocks or growing pains.

But January 2025 hasn’t been as straightforward for the Knicks.

Their 126-101 embarrᴀssment against the Thunder on Friday marked their fourth loss already this month, transforming their nine-game winning streak and 12-2 record from December into a distant memory.

And with plenty of questions now surrounding the Knicks’ ability to grind out wins against the NBA’s best, their schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Bucks — currently the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed, marginally ahead of the Magic based on winning percentage — arriving at the Garden on Sunday.

“Last year was 2024,” Jalen Brunson said, succinctly, Friday, of the January difference. “This is 2025. It’s a year difference.”

The Knicks’ soft January schedule last year helped with the tear.

<ʙuттon class="ʙuттon ʙuттon--modal-trigger" aria-label="Open the image in a modal." data-modal-image="34433058">

Left to right: Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride wear dejected expressions during the Knicks’ blowout loss to the Thunder.

Only five of their wins came against opponents that entered the games with a .500 record or better, but three of those — the Timberwolves, 76ers and Nuggets — carried the label of serious contender.

Even with both Anunoby and Julius Randle both injured by the end of the month, the Knicks found ways to escape with wins, and they still had time to patch their roster before the trade ᴅᴇᴀᴅline.

But after cruising for a chunk of their 2024-25 schedule, the Knicks hit a roadblock during the month that defined their regular season last year — and the one that backs right into the trade ᴅᴇᴀᴅline next month.