To be the best, you gotta beat the best.
We’re officially on the other end of the All-Star break, and it’s full speed ahead for the New York Knicks.
Last night, sans Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, the Knicks hosted the Chicago Bulls. Despite the absences, New York was able to claw their way to a win, starting off the back half of the season on a strong note. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson led the way (as per usual), with KAT posting 32 points and 18 rebounds and JB connecting on 12 assists. Deuce McBride knocked down five threes in his first start of the year. And Mikal Bridges made an incredible defensive stand to force the game to overtime, where the Knicks would eventually pull out the victory.
HUGE MIKAL BRIDGES BLOCK TO FORCE OT pic.twitter.com/Q3JqY4pL0i
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2025
Their reward for last night? A trip to Cleveland, the top team in the NBA, on the second end of a back-to-back.
The Cavaliers are 45-10 this season, and only improved their roster at the trade deadline. This is far from the squad New York took care of in the 2023 postseason. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell mean business in the backcourt, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are one of the best defensive frontcourts in the NBA. Last night, they took care of the Nets in Brooklyn, 110-97, and have now won nine of their last ten games. They’re 25-4 at home this season. Gulp.
On the injury front, both Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are considered questionable, with Mitchell Robinson still officially out as he ramps up to playing speed after rehabbing his ankle injury.
Hart has been battling ‘patellofemoral syndrome in the right knee’, and is probably a game time decision headed into tonight. Here’s what Ian Begley said about him last night:
On Josh Hart, Tom Thibodeau described his knee injury as ‘soreness.’ Thibodeau said Hart was able to practice in Knicks’ first practice after the All Star break but could not participate in their 2nd practice. Hart’s official injury is patellofemoral syndrome in the right knee
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 20, 2025
Meanwhile, OG is also a GTD as he comes back from a foot injury that has kept him out the entire month of February.
Either of the two taking the floor tonight would be more than welcome, given that five Knicks played at least 38 minutes in last night’s overtime battle (Achiuwa, Bridges, Towns, McBride, Brunson).
Prediction
I hate to be that guy, but not only are the Cavaliers unbelievable, they’re healthy.
While both teams are on game two of a back-to-back, the Knicks ran a tight rotation deep into an overtime battle. They’re possibly down two of their most impactful players. The Cavs are…not. Not a single player played more than 30 minutes in their win last night at Brooklyn.
Tonight, let’s hope that the wheels don’t fall off and the Knicks can make the final score look respectable. But If Brunson and Towns aren’t both in perfect form right out of the gates, look for Cleveland to take care of business easily. It kills me to say it, and I hope I’m wrong, but it would take a hell of an inspired effort for the Knicks to keep it close down the stretch. The Cavs should take care of business at home against a banged-up, tired New York squad.
Game Details
Date: Thursday, February 21st, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky