BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers will take the court without swingman De’Andre Hunter for their highly anticipated season opener against the New York Knicks tonight at 7 p.m. inside Madison Square Garden. Hunter, who was initially listed as questionable, has been ruled out due to a right knee contusion sustained during the final preseason game against the Detroit Pistons.
Despite participating in a three-on-three team activity just yesterday, head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed that the team is prioritizing Hunter’s health. “We didn’t do much today, so he played three-on-three, but the group looked pretty good,” Atkinson stated. “Let’s see what the returns are on that, but he looked good in the three-on-three.” However, the Cavs ultimately decided not to rush him back, making the announcement just moments before tipoff.
Hunter joins a list of key players on the sidelines, including guard Darius Garland, who is recovering from a toe injury, and swingman Max Strus, dealing with a left foot issue. This leaves the Cavs with a challenging start to the season against their Eastern Conference rivals.
The starting lineup for Cleveland tonight includes Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Meanwhile, the Knicks are also facing their own injury challenges, with Josh Hart sidelined due to back spasms and Mitchell Robinson out because of ankle management. OG Anunoby is listed as questionable with an illness, while Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to play despite a quad injury.
As fans gear up for what promises to be an electrifying matchup, the absence of key players on both sides will undoubtedly impact the game. The Cavs look to make a statement early in the season, but they will need to overcome these setbacks to do so.
Stay tuned for live updates and highlights from this opening night showdown.
