The primary take a look at is the hardest competitors within the convention.
The Knicks, recent off their first convention finals in a quarter-century, open subsequent season at dwelling in opposition to the Cavaliers, the NBA introduced Tuesday.
The competition is Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. and was introduced as a part of NBA’s opening week on ESPN.
It’ll additionally symbolize the first significant recreation of Mike Brown’s tenure in New York.
The Knicks additionally face the Cavaliers on Christmas at MSG — as the one East groups enjoying on the vacation — with the league clearly figuring out them because the cream of an in any other case weak and injury-diminished convention.
The Cavs gained 64 video games final season — together with all 4 head-to-heads with the Knicks — and return its star core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.
The Knicks captured 51 video games however superior a playoff spherical additional than Cleveland, in the end falling in six video games to the Pacers within the convention finals.
Each the Pacers and Celtics would have contenders however their star gamers — Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, respectively — will miss most of subsequent season, if not all of it, after succumbing to Achilles tears.
The opposite prime groups within the East embrace the Magic, Pistons and Bucks, though Milwaukee’s success will assuredly hinge on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s want to remain or demand a commerce.
The Knicks, who controversially canned their profitable coach Tom Thibodeau after final season, open their preseason sooner than the remainder of the NBA as a result of they’re touring to Abu Dhabi for exhibitions in opposition to the Sixers (Oct. 2 and 4).
They end the preseason at dwelling in opposition to the Timberwolves (Oct. 9) and Wizards (Oct. 13).
It’ll be a part of the primary coaching camp for Brown, the veteran head coach who was employed final month and has pushed a want of enjoying a quicker, extra inclusive offense.
For its annual MLK Day recreation — which takes place on Jan. 19 subsequent 12 months — the Knicks host the Mavericks at 5 p.m. on NBC and Peacock, the community introduced .
Assuming his well being that day, Cooper Flagg, the ballyhooed Mavs rookie, will make his Backyard debut as a professional.
The total NBA schedule can be introduced Thursday.
