The New York Knicks will tip off their 2025-26 campaign with a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview. They'll host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. Two days later, they'll welcome the Boston Celtics to the city that doesn't sleep.
While it is a playoff rematch, the extent of the visitors' roster makeover, coupled with Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, doesn't give it that vibe whatsoever. Furthermore, New York figures to be without several of its most important players.
Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson are dealing with, respectively, lumbar and ankle injuries. In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Shams Charania reported, "Those two guys, I think there is a very real chance they miss real time to start the year."
Hart is coming off one of the most impactful seasons of his eight-year career. A do-it-all Swiss army knife who gives the Knicks an infusion of energy and grit, the six-foot-five forward averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. The latter three are career highs for the former Villanova Wildcats star.
Robinson missed much of the 2024-25 campaign due to an ankle injury. He appeared in only 17 games in the regular season. However, that ramp-up was enough time for him to make his presence felt in the playoffs.
The seven-foot center was especially productive in the second-round series against the Celtics. Robinson grabbed nearly four offensive rebounds per tilt. He even started making more of his free throws in response to Boston repeatedly challenging his ability to do so by intentionally fouling him.
Those absences are significant blows to New York's rotation to start the new season. And there may be another pivotal piece joining them in street clothes to open the 2025-26 campaign.
Karl-Anthony Towns may miss the start of the season
Wednesday afternoon, the Knicks downgraded Karl-Anthony Towns to doubtful for their season opener against the Cavaliers, per Charania. He noted that the three-time All-NBA selection is dealing with a quad strain, which is creating "increased pessimism" about his availability vs. Cleveland.
However, the ESPN NBA insider followed up an hour later, noting that the hosts had upgraded the five-time All-Star to questionable to play. That effectively makes him a game-time decision.
Perhaps Towns misses opening night but returns against Boston on Friday. If he is unable to suit up for either contest, the Celtics are catching a huge break. They could face a New York team missing its top two centers in their first road matchup.
First, their center-by-committee approach will have to face former league MVP Joel Embiid in Wednesday's season opener, a rivalry clash vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.