Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Bucks look to get back on track when they host the Knicks Friday night.
Following a loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday, the Bucks hold just a two-and-a-half game lead over the East's seventh seed, while the Knicks are just a half-game back of the East's 10th seed, the final spot in the Play-In race. The game is set to tip-off at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
That's not a typo — this game between Eastern Conference opponents will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET.
What time does Knicks vs. Bucks start?
- Date: Friday, Jan. 28
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT
Knicks vs. Bucks is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET. The game will tip off following the conclusion of a game between the Lakers and Hornets, which tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
What channel is Knicks vs. Bucks on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch ESPN | Sling TV
Friday night's game is a part of ESPN's NBA Friday doubleheader. Dave Pasch will handle duties as a play-by-play announcer alongside color analyst Doris Burke. In-studio segments will be handled by the NBA Countdown crew of Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon and Jalen Rose.
Why is a game between Eastern Conference opponents scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET?
Simply put, it is a product of Milwaukee being located in the Central Time Zone.
Despite the fact that both the Bucks and Knicks are in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee's location makes it possible for the city to host games that are the second half of an ESPN doubleheader.
As mentioned above, Friday night's game between the Bucks and Knicks tips off following the conclusion of a game between the Lakers and Hornets. With Milwaukee in the Central Time Zone, the game on Friday, Jan. 28 will have a 9:00 p.m. local start. It is somewhat of a rarity but it is not uncommon for the nine NBA teams located in the Central Time Zone to have a 9:00 p.m. tip-off.
In fact, the Bulls (Jan. 12) and Grizzlies (Jan. 14) each hosted games that began at 10:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. CT) earlier in the month.
Being located in the Central Time Zone means a team can have a local start that ranges from 7:00 p.m. ET to 10:00 p.m. ET, a concept that becomes more common during early rounds of the NBA Playoffs. Additionally, networks receive more flexibility with respect to teams that can be scheduled in doubleheaders.
That said, Knicks fans on the East coast may have to stay up a bit later to watch their team but hey, at least it's on a Friday.
Knicks schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Jan. 28 | at Bucks | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 31 | vs. Kings | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| Feb. 2 | vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Feb. 5 | at Lakers | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Feb. 7 | at Jazz | 9:00 p.m. | – |
Bucks schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Jan. 28 | vs. Knicks | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 30 | vs. Nuggets | 7:00 p.m. | – |
| Feb. 1 | vs. Wizards | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Feb. 5 | at Trail Blazers | 10:00 p.m. | – |
| Feb. 6 | at Clippers | 9:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
