The Knicks were able to take a game from the Cavaliers in Cleveland, meaning the playoffs are coming back to Madison Square Garden with their series tied 1-1.
New York and head coach Tom Thibodeau narrowly dodged what would have been a major blow, when star forward Julius Randle suffered what appeared to be a back injury on a hard foul from Cavs center Jarrett Allen toward the end of a blowout loss in Game 2.
Randle and Thibodeau both said Randle wanted to stay in the game so he could find his rhythm and continue to get his conditioning better after he missed the last five games of the regular season with an ankle injury.
Lucky for the Knicks, it appears Randle is set to go in a big Game 3 as the Knicks continue their quest for their first playoff series win since 2013.
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Is Julius Randle playing tonight?
All systems appear to go for Randle, despite what looked like an ugly fall.
Randle was on a break when Allen came up behind him and went for the block, taking Randle to the floor hard.
Julius Randle takes a HARD fall after this dunk over Jarrett Allen late in the 4th of Knicks-Cavs Game 2 😬
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 19, 2023
Allen was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 1.pic.twitter.com/yVqr7UtN0W
Randle said Thursday that he is "ready to go" despite being in some pain.
Julius Randle is asked if Jarrett Allen's foul was a dirty play:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 20, 2023
"It doesn't even matter at this point. My ass hurts, my elbow hurts, but I gotta get ready to play for tomorrow. I'm ready to go." pic.twitter.com/KuQq2yExYE
Despite his injury coming at a point he debatably shouldn't have been in, he isn't going to be held out for Game 3.
MORE: Why was Julius Randle still on the court at the end of Game 2?
Cavaliers vs. Knicks start time
- Date: Friday, April 21
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 of Cavaliers vs. Knicks will tip off shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, April 21.
What channel is Cavaliers vs. Knicks on?
- Date: Friday, April 21
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: Sling TV
Game 3 of Cavaliers vs. Knicks will air on ABC. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds
The following odds come from BetMGM.
| Cavaliers | Knicks | |
| Spread | +1.5 (-105) | -1.5 (-115) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -135 |
Cavaliers vs. Knicks schedule, TV channels
Tied at 1-1, the series shifts to New York for Games 3 and 4.
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result | TV channel |
| April 15 | Game 1 | Knicks 101, Cavaliers 97 | ESPN |
| April 18 | Game 2 | Cavaliers 107, Knicks 90 | TNT |
| April 21 | Game 3 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| April 23 | Game 4 | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| TBD | Game 5 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
