The excitement crackles in the air like the autumn leaves underfoot. NBA action is back, baby! And tonight, the New York Knicks crack the seal on their 80th season with a home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the Knicks entered this summer’s offseason focused on improving their depth and changing leadership.
President Leon Rose dismissed Tom Thibodeau, despite back-to-back 50-win seasons, and hired another veteran coach,
Mike Brown, to modernize the system with greater pace and spacing.
With the core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart intact, New York emphasized depth and financial prudence under the new second-apron rules. Bridges inked a four-year, $150 million extension. The team let Precious Achiuwa leave in free agency, added promising rookie Mohamed Diawara, and signed big man Guerschon Yabusele and veteran gunslinger Jordan Clarkson to bolster the bench.
Despite missing on potential blockbuster moves (like their rumored pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo), the Knicks’ roster remains one of the East’s deepest. With Brown’s uptempo approach and renewed focus on rotation health, they are projected to be a legitimate Finals contender if the stars align and stay healthy.
After a 64-win season and league-best offense, the Cavaliers entered their offseason aiming to refine rather than rebuild following another disappointing second-round exit.
Operating over the NBA’s second apron, the Cavs have retained the “Core Four” of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen while making cost-efficient upgrades to depth, shooting, and defense. This summer, they traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball, re-signed Larry Nance Jr. and Sam Merrill, and added Thomas Bryant.
Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson’s focus will be on improving durability and maintaining defensive consistency. Despite early setbacks—Garland’s toe surgery and Max Strus’s broken foot—the Cavs enter 2025-26 as Eastern Conference favorites, projected for 55–60 wins. Like the Knicks, there’s no denying Cleveland’s top-five potential on both ends and their Finals aspirations.
Knicks Injuries: Josh Hart (back, OUT), Mitchell Robinson (ankle, OUT), Karl-Anthony Towns (quad, QUESTIONABLE), OG Anunoby (ankle, PROBABLE).
Cavs Injuries: Darius Garland (toe, OUT), Max Strus (foot, OUT), De’Andre Hunter (knee, QUESTIONABLE).
Prediction
ESPN.com picks the Cavs at 56%. We get it. Tonight will be the primetime debut of Coach Brown’s faster-paced, high-volume three-point offense at the Mecca. New York’s deep rotation, built around Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby, will be less so this evening with Hart (back) and Robinson (mystery) out. That’s going to hurt against a strong rebounding team like the Cavs.
The Ohio Players will be anchored by Mobley and Allen inside, and they will test the frontcourt of Towns, Yabusele, and Ariel Hukporti. While the Cavs will be without Garland, Ball is a capable ball handler, and Mitchell is always poised to pile up the points. Watch for Donny and Jalen to try to outduel each other, with both topping 30 points.
And prepare yourself for the postgame hyperbole. If the Knicks lose, half the crowd will say, ‘It’s just game one, give it time,’ while the other half prepares their pitchforks and torches; and if the Knicks win, some will say, ‘It’s a bellwether for the Finals we were promised.’ We predict the Knicks to lose by two in a thriller, with plenty to cheer and a few frustrating goofs. It’s opening night, after all. Too soon for perfection.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (0-0) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)
When: Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, NYC
Watch: ESPN, MSG, Fubo
Follow: @ptknicksblog
