Knicks Rule Out Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson for Season Opener
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The New York Knicks will begin the 2025-26 campaign without forward Josh Hart and center Mitchell Robinson, both ruled out for Wednesday night’s opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Hart is dealing with lumbar spasms that have sidelined him since he logged seven minutes in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi nearly three weeks ago. Robinson is being held out for left-ankle injury management after appearing only in the first half of an Oct. 9 preseason game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Head coach Mike Brown told reporters Tuesday that neither player practiced and the medical staff will continue to monitor their progress. Brown emphasized Robinson’s absence is related to workload rather than a new injury, noting the 7-footer “could possibly go” if necessary but the team is exercising caution after his injury-plagued 2024-25 season.
All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable with a right quadriceps strain.
Cleveland Also Shorthanded
The Cavaliers will be without guard Darius Garland (left big toe surgery) and forward Max Strus (left foot surgery). Garland has been sidelined since late March and was expected to miss at least four months following a June procedure, while Strus underwent surgery in August and is projected to be out for the season’s first month. Forward DeAndre Hunter is questionable because of a right knee contusion.
Player Backgrounds
Hart, entering his ninth NBA season, averaged 13.6 points along with career highs of 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 37.6 minutes across 77 starts last year. Robinson, set for his eighth season, was limited to 17 games in 2024-25, posting 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in a career-low 17.1 minutes.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Source: Basketball Insiders
