Cavs Confirm De’Andre Hunter Out for Season Opener vs. Knicks

UPDATE: The Cleveland Cavaliers will face a significant setback as De’Andre Hunter has been ruled out for their highly anticipated season opener against the New York Knicks tonight at 7 p.m. ET inside Madison Square Garden. This immediate development comes just hours before tip-off, impacting the Cavs’ strategy against their Eastern Conference rivals.

Hunter, who was listed as questionable after suffering a right knee contusion in the last preseason game against the Detroit Pistons, participated in a three-on-three practice session earlier today. However, following evaluation, the Cavaliers’ coaching staff, led by head coach Kenny Atkinson, decided not to rush him back onto the court. Atkinson stated,

“We didn’t do much today, so he played three-on-three, but the group looked pretty good. Let’s see what the returns are on that, but he looked good in the three-on-three.”

In addition to Hunter, the Cavaliers will also be without guard Darius Garland, who is recovering from a toe injury sustained last season, and swingman Max Strus, who is dealing with a left foot injury. The Cavs have now announced their starting lineup for the game, featuring Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

On the other side, the Knicks will also be missing key players, as Josh Hart is sidelined with back spasms and Mitchell Robinson is out due to ankle injury management. OG Anunoby is listed as questionable with illness, while Karl Anthony-Towns is expected to play despite a quad injury.

This matchup is set to be critical for both teams as they kick off the new NBA season. Fans are eager to see how the absence of key players like Hunter and Garland will affect the Cavaliers’ performance against a Knicks team that is also grappling with injuries.

As the clock counts down to tip-off, the Cavaliers are looking to make a strong statement, despite the hurdles. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as this season opener unfolds.