We are officially back. The Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2025-26 NBA regular season with a rivalry matchup against the New York Knicks.
You can catch the game live on FanDuel Sports Network using our promo
code ‘SBNFALL30’ for a free month of Cavs games!
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Where: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
When: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:00pm EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN
Cavs Injury Report: Darius Garland – OUT (toe), Max Strus – OUT (foot), De’Andre Hunter – QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Knicks Injury Report: Josh Hart – OUT (back), Mitchell Robinson – OUT (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns – QUESTIONABLE (quad), OG Anunoby – PROBABLE (ankle)
Watch Cavs games with FanDuel Sports Network free for 30 days
- First 5,000 using the code SBNFALL30 get a free month
- Never miss a Cavaliers game. Stream all season long with FanDuel Sports Network
What to watch for
Neither team is happy about the way last season ended. The Cavs feel their title chances were cut short by injury, while the Knicks squandered an opportunity to reach the NBA Finals. Both teams begin their path to redemption against each other.
Evan Mobley is hungry
The Cavs have spoken a lot about how determined Mobley has been this summer. All signs point towards Mobley being ‘locked in’ and ready for another leap.
“Evan, without a doubt, has made a jump in terms of focus and work ethic,” said Kenny Atkinson. Opening night is a perfect time for Mobley to flex his growth and make a statement.
Watch for Mobley to be aggressive out of the gate, hunting for his own shot and impacting the game defensively. He’ll likely get the opportunity to attack mismatches against New York’s wings. Pay attention to how he approaches those moments and whether or not Mobley makes them pay.
Cavs new additions
This isn’t just the first game of the season. It’s the first time we’ll get to see Cleveland’s newest additions play a real game for the Cavs. Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr. will certainly make their debut, while the rookie Tyrese Proctor could make an appearance, as well.
Ball was a standout in the preseason. His versatility and playmaking genius make him a seamless fit in the Cavaliers’ offense. I’d watch for Ball to find a rhythym and settle himself into Cleveland’s second unit. The same goes for Nance, whose offensive role as a floor-spacing, screen-setting, dribble-hand-off operating big will add new wrinkles to the Cavalier bench.
It might be less likely that Proctor plays. But if he does, keep an eye on how the rookie composes himself in his debut. Proctor played the preseason with supreme confidence. Can he continue to shoot the ball without hesitation in his first NBA game? There’s only one way to find out.
Pace and space
Every NBA team says they want to play faster during the summer. Improving conditioning, playing with more toughness, etc. These things are all easier said than done.
No one would expect the Cavs to press pedal to the medal on opening night. There will be a ramping-up period before anyone hits midseason form. However, watch to see if Cleveland applies full-court pressure on defense — or if they appear more aggressive in getting into ball handlers in the halfcourt. Generating more turnovers and re-establishing an elite defensive identity is one of this team’s goals.
On offense, the Cavs will want to replicate their success from last season. That means pace, ball movement — and lots of three-pointers. It might be difficult to achieve this without Darius Garland or Max Strus. But Donovan Mitchell has been leading high-powered offenses for his entire career. He should be more than capable of jolting this offense to life in Madison Square Garden.
