What happened: ESPN's trade-deadline outlook lays out big questions for the Knicks, Thunder and other top teams. New York lost 107-115 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and Oklahoma City lost 108-118 at the Portland Trail Blazers the same night.
Why it matters: The Thunder had opened 8-2 and made the season's first trade last week, acquiring Nique Clifford from Sacramento. The Knicks are 6-5 and in fifth place, so both rosters are being measured against deadline expectations early in the season.
By the numbers: Knicks: 6-5 through 11 games in 2026-27, one-game losing streak, fifth seed. Thunder: 8-4 through 12 games, two-game losing streak, seventh seed.
What to watch: The Thunder go into their next game on a two-game skid, while the Knicks look to avoid back-to-back losses.