The New York Knicks will open their season on October 22nd, facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Heading into the fresh season, the Knicks and Cavs are expected to lead the way in the Eastern Conference, although neither team will be at full strength.
Both Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart will miss the season opener. Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable, and OG Anunoby is probable.
For Cleveland, Max Strus and Darius Garland are out and De’Andre Hunter is questionable.
The Knicks are expected to battle injuries all season, even with Tom Thibodeau no longer calling the shots and asking his starters to play long minutes.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 28: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half of an NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 115-91.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Knicks Not Expected to Be Honest About Injuries
Hart will miss significant time with a back injury, and Robinson is technically marked out due to rest. There are suspicions already brewing that Robinson has a slightly more dire reason for sitting out than just load management.
“I think we should just point out that this is Mitchell Robinson’s contract year,” explained Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective podcast. “Everybody’s incentivized to keep certain information to themselves.”
Robinson has played in over 70 games only once in his career, and has missed 139 contests (compared to 107 played) in the last three seasons. He is looking for a long-term deal after the end of this season. With his injury history, the Knicks–or any other team–might not be eager to acquiesce to his contract demands.
Next year’s free agent class will include Robinson, Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams, and John Collins, so he will have plenty of competition on the open market. It’s to his benefit to play as many games as possible and downplay the possibility of a long-term absence.
New York Knicks Still Feeling Effects of Thibodeau
Despite not yet playing a game this season, the Knicks are still feeling the dings and dents from last season. Hart, Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges all ranked in the top ten in minutes played.
Thibodeau has long been notorious for demanding the most from his starters, and some of his best all-time players have had years shaved off their careers because of it.
“You ever heard of ‘Thibs miles?’ There are highway miles and city miles, and there’s Thibs miles,” explained ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. “Jimmy Butler got them. Derrick Rose got them. Luol Deng really had them. Luol Deng had a spinal tap.”
Hart and Robinson, it seems, are next on the list of players who have had to limit their action later in their careers. Butler, still playing, has not appeared in 65 or more games since 2018-19. In his first season in New York, Mike Brown will have to clean up the mess left by his predecessor.
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