Josh Hart Injury Key As Knicks Face Undefeated Cavs

The New York Knicks achieved revenge vs. the Indiana Pacers in a 123-98 match on Friday. After destroying the team responsible for sending them home in the 2024 playoffs, the Knicks play the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Since the demoralizing 132-109 season-opening loss to the Boston Celtics, the Knicks are on a mission to regain offseason momentum.

Although it's merely a week into the season, Cleveland holds a 3-0 record, boasting the league's second-ranked offensive and fourth-ranked defensive ratings. However, the Cavaliers' strength of schedule is relatively weak to start the 2024-25 season.

Boston beat New York handily, but the Knicks' performance in the season opener would earn it a win against most teams in the league. However, Cleveland's wins against the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards suggest its undefeated record isn't as legitimate as it appears.

The Knicks will either expose the Cavaliers as the product of a soft opening schedule or provide legitimacy to an otherwise questionable undefeated record.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Injury Report

New York Knicks

• Precious Achiuwa (OUT - left hamstring)
• Josh Hart (QUESTIONABLE - right ankle)
• Miles McBride (PROBABLE - left knee)
• Kevin McCullar Jr. (OUT - G League two-way
• Mitchell Robinson (OUT - left ankle)

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Emoni Bates (OUT - G League two-way)
• Max Strus (OUT - right ankle)
• JT Thor (OUT - G League two-way
• Luke Travers (OUT - G League two-way

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 Eastern Time

WHERE: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)

TV: MSG, MSG+, League Pass

ODDS: The Knicks are 2.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers.

Related: Thibs Thrilled With Knicks Bold Response

FINAL WORD: Similar to the Knicks' previous outing vs. the Pacers, their front line must protect the boards and the basket. Cleveland's formidable frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen theoretically provides interior defense and attack that will push Karl-Anthoyn Towns to his limit.

However, unlike last season, the Cavaliers have failed to grab rebounds, ranking 26th in this statistic. Yet, despite such an uncharacteristic stat, the Cavaliers rank fourth in defensive rating. Towns' 3-point shooting will come into play, as he could stretch Allen out to the perimeter, leaving Mobley alone to fight on the boards.