All the signs pointed toward Donovan Mitchell becoming a Knick before the Cavaliers stunned everyone by swooping in and acquiring the four-time All-Star.
As fate would have it, the two teams will now meet in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Mitchell's first season in Cleveland has been a success. He's averaged just under 30 points per game, powering the Cavaliers to a top-10 offense. He's also played a role in the team's No. 1 ranked defense that is led by the twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The Knicks return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2021-22 campaign. The last New York team to punch its ticket to the postseason did it on the strength of its defense. This team has been far more potent offensively but not as stingy defensively.
Julius Randle has more help this time around. While he's led the Knicks with 25.1 points per game this season, Jalen Brunson hasn't been far behind in the scoring column in his first season in New York.
If the guard battle between Mitchell, Darius Garland and Brunson wasn't enough of a draw, Mobley and Allen will have their hands full with Randle.
MORE: How New York's offer for Donovan Mitchell compared to Cleveland's
Cavaliers vs. Knicks 2022-23 regular season series
The Knicks won three of their four matchups with the Cavaliers in the regular season.
- Oct. 30, 2022: Cavaliers 121, Knicks 108
- Dec. 4, 2022: Knicks 92, Cavaliers 81
- Jan. 24, 2023: Knicks 105, Cavaliers 103
- March 31, 2023: Knicks 130, Cavaliers 116
Mitchell averaged 31.8 points, 7.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds over the four games. Randle appeared in three of the four games, posting averages of 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
With Randle sidelined in New York's final matchup of the season with Cleveland, Brunson went off for a career-best 48 points.
JALEN BRUNSON CAREER NIGHT 🗣️
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2023
48 PTS (career-high)
4 REB
9 AST
7 3PM
W pic.twitter.com/PK6km61gRN
Cavaliers vs. Knicks key storyline: Julius Randle's ankle injury
Randle enters the 2023 NBA Playoffs nursing an ankle injury.
The two-time All-Star had appeared in every game this season before turning his left ankle in New York's matchup with Miami on March 29. The Knicks announced the next day that he would be reevaluated in two weeks, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season.
Randle's status for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs is currently unknown.
Julius Randle needed to be helped to the locker room after suffering an apparent ankle injury 🤕🙏pic.twitter.com/qemVgTlxPf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 30, 2023
Randle finished the regular season averaging a career-best 25.1 points to go along with 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He shot 45.9 percent from the field while knocking down a career-high 2.8 3-pointers per game at a 34.3 percent clip.
The Knicks aren't a one-man team, but they'll likely need Randle close to full strength to keep up with the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks schedule, TV channels
The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs begins on April 15.
The schedule hasn't yet been released for each first-round series, but each game will be televised on either TNT, ESPN, ABC or NBA TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA's biggest playoff games 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.
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| Date | Game | Time | TV channel |
| TBD | Game 1 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 2 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 3 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 4 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 5 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 6 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Game 7 | TBD | TBD |
Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds
Cavaliers: -185
Knicks: +150
Odds will be provided by DraftKings.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions
Carlan Gay: Cavaliers in five games
Leandro Fernandez: Cavaliers in five games
Scott Rafferty: Cavaliers in six games
Micah Adams: Cavaliers in six games
Gilbert McGregor: Cavaliers in six games
Jordan Greer: Cavaliers in six games
Kyle Irving: Cavaliers in six games
Steph Noh: Knicks in seven games
