Knicks rule out Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson for season opener
SLUG: knicks-hart-robinson-out-season-opener
The New York Knicks will begin the 2025-26 campaign without two projected rotation players. On Tuesday, head coach Mike Brown confirmed that Josh Hart (lumbar spasms) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury management) will not play Wednesday night when New York hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Hart has been sidelined since logging seven minutes in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi nearly three weeks ago. Robinson last appeared on Oct. 9, playing the first half of a preseason matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves before the team shifted him to workload management.
“Still the same,” Brown told reporters after practice. “Neither one practiced today, but we’re going to keep monitoring them and I’ll get with the medical staff and we’ll see what we’re going to do.” He added that Robinson could play if absolutely necessary but the club prefers a cautious approach after the center missed significant time last season.
Karl-Anthony Towns was listed as questionable for the opener with a right quadriceps strain.
Stat lines from 2024-25
Hart, 30, averaged 13.6 points along with career highs of 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals while starting all 77 games last year. Robinson, 27, appeared in 17 contests after offseason ankle surgery, contributing 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in a career-low 17.1 minutes per game.
Cleveland also shorthanded
The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland (left big toe surgery) and Max Strus (Jones fracture, left foot). Both guards underwent offseason procedures and are expected to miss at least the season’s first month. Forward DeAndre Hunter is listed as questionable with a right knee contusion.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Source: Basketball Insiders
