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The second half of the Knicks’ pandemic-shortened 72-game schedule was announced Wednesday, and the Garden will be blessed with two April treats six days apart.
The Lakers and LeBron James will visit April 12 for the first time since being crowned 2020 NBA bubble champions.
The bigger event will come April 18 in a Saturday matinee, when Zion Williamson makes his first pro appearance at the Garden for the Pelicans.
The newly named All-Star missed last season’s Garden contest – plus an exhibition game — with a knee injury. Williamson has yet to face off against his Duke buddy RJ Barrett.
In his second season, Williamson is averaging 25.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The lefty dunk master is shooting 61.6 percent from the field and a respectable 35.1 percent from 3.
Williamson has become the NBA’s most entertaining player, is evolving as a playmaker at point forward and ranks sixth in the league in player efficiency rating.
The Knicks are now allowing 2,000 fans per game under state guidelines.
According to a source, the Knicks have been in discussions with the governor’s office and there’s internal hope of expanding that number before the regular-season finale on May 16.
The Knicks return from the All-Star break to begin the second-half schedule with a three-game road trip that begins March 11 in Milwaukee.
The Knicks face Oklahoma City on March 13 and make their first visit this season to Barclays Center on March 15 to confront the Brooklyn Dream Team.
The Knicks haven’t faced the Nets with James Harden, who was traded from Houston the night of their first encounter on Jan. 13, which was won by the Nets.
Knicks’ second-half schedule
March 11 at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
March 13 at Oklahoma City, 2 p.m.
March 15 at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.
March 16 at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.
March 18 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.
March 21 vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m.
March 23 vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
March 25 vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
March 27 at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
March 29 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
March 31 at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
April 2 vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
April 3 at Detroit, 8 p.m.
April 5 at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
April 7 at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
April 9 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m.
April 11 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
April 12 vs. LA Lakers, 7:30 p.m.
April 14 at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
April 16 at Dallas, 9:30 p.m.
April 18 vs. New Orleans, 1 p.m.
April 20 vs Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
April 21 vs. Atlanta, 8 p.m.
April 24 vs. Toronto, 1 p.m.
April 26 vs. Phoenix, 7:30 p.m.
April 28 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
May 2 at Houston, 8 p.m.
May 3 at Memphis, 9 p.m.
May 5 at Denver, 9 p.m.
May 7 at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
May 9 at LA Clippers, 3:30 p.m.
May 11 at LA Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 vs. Charlotte, TBD
May 16 vs. Boston, TBD
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