The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2025-26 NBA season with high expectations after finishing last year with a 64-18 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. However, just before their regular season opener against the New York Knicks, injuries have cast an early shadow over those aspirations.
Heading into the matchup, the Cavaliers announced that All-Star guard Darius Garland (toe surgery) and forward Max Strus (foot) will miss Wednesday’s game at Madison Square Garden. To make matters worse, starting forward De’Andre Hunter is listed as questionable with a right knee contusion suffered in the preseason finale.
“It was a knee-to-knee in that Detroit game,” Atkinson explained. “Just banged knees. So it’s a contusion, we’re labeling it. A pretty good hit.”
Hunter practiced in a limited capacity on Tuesday, taking part in three-on-three drills, but Atkinson said the team would re-evaluate him before tipoff.
“He looked pretty good,” Atkinson said. “Let’s see what the returns are on that. But he looked good in the 3-on-3.”
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Hunter’s absence would deal another significant blow to Cleveland’s depth. Strus, the team’s starting small forward last season, suffered a fractured foot during an offseason workout and underwent surgery in August. His recovery is expected to extend into November. Garland, meanwhile, continues to recover from the toe surgery he underwent in June.
That leaves the Cavaliers without two key perimeter scorers and their newly acquired defensive wing against one of the Eastern Conference’s most physical teams. Hunter had averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range in 17 games with the Cavaliers after a midseason trade last year.
Atkinson has remained optimistic but realistic about his team’s situation.
“Good question,” he said with a laugh when asked who might replace Hunter if he sits. “I think what it turns into is our young guys are gonna have to be ready to go. We’re completely confident in that. We’ve done a lot of work with them this summer. Throw ’em into the fire.”
The most likely candidates to fill Hunter’s role are Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson. Wade brings defensive stability and shooting range, while Tyson, a second-year wing drafted 20th overall in 2024, offers athleticism and versatility. Tyson averaged 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited minutes last season but impressed the staff during training camp with his confidence and two-way play.
If Hunter is unavailable, Tyson could get his first career start alongside Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. The group lacks the experience of last season’s starting five, but Mitchell and Mobley will likely shoulder more of the offensive burden against a Knicks squad known for toughness and rebounding.
Despite the setbacks, the Cavaliers insist they are not panicking. Veteran forward Max Strus, who remains sidelined, voiced confidence in his teammates’ ability to adapt. “We have a lot of guys who can step up,” Strus said. “It’s going to be a next-man-up mentality. There will be some growing pains early, but I think we’ll be fine.”
The Knicks, coached by former Cavaliers assistant Mike Brown, are also battling injuries, with Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson ruled out for the opener. Still, New York’s core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby presents a formidable test for Cleveland’s depleted roster.
Atkinson emphasized that the team’s priority is keeping players healthy for the long haul rather than rushing them back.
“Usually, long-term is like a twist or you fall awkwardly,” Atkinson said. “This is just a knee-to-knee, kinda unlucky.”
Even with uncertainty surrounding Hunter’s availability, the Cavaliers remain focused on setting the tone for a season filled with championship expectations. The Cavaliers and Knicks tip off Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern in a nationally televised game that could preview a future playoff matchup. Whether Cleveland takes the floor at full strength or shorthanded, the night will mark the beginning of another test of resilience for a team with its sights set on the top of the East.
