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New York Knicks
Aug 8, 2025 6:11 PM EDT
The NBA offseason has quieted down after a busy start as teams are now preparing for the start of next season at the end of October.
While the 2025-26 NBA season is still over two months away, massive news dropped on Friday as the Christmas Day schedule was released by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Among the teams that will be showcased on are the New York Knicks as they will host the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first of five matchups on Christmas Day.
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Of course, the Knicks are set to enter next season as one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference, which is weaker than last season thanks to injuries to Jayson Taum of the Boston Celtics and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.
For the Knicks, they will enter next season with a new head coach in Mike Brown but they still have their core of last season that comprises of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.
New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — Source: © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
New York also made some additions to their bench this offseason by signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele as they addressed some key issues they had last season.
Of course, the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 last season before losing to the Pacers and they are looking to make a run at the NBA Finals next season.
On the other side, the Cavaliers finished first in the East last season behind their core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Cleveland Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland
Cleveland Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland — Source: © David Richard-Imagn Images
Cleveland then went on sweep the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs before they were eliminated in five games by the Pacers in the second round.
The Cavaliers will now look to build off their success last season as they and the Knicks will enter next season as the favorites to come out of the East, which makes their matchup on Christmas Day even more intriguing.
About the Author
Nathaniel Holloway