The festive spirit at Madison Square Garden will be matched by high-stakes basketball drama this Christmas Day, as the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the New York Knicks in a pivotal Eastern Conference showdown scheduled for December 25, 2025. This marquee matchup carries significant weight for both the standings and the teams' immediate futures, heavily influenced by a spate of injuries to key players.
Injury Cloud Hangs Over Christmas Spectacle
The build-up to this holiday classic is dominated by uncertainty surrounding the availability of star performers. The Cleveland Cavaliers, entering the game with a record of 17-14 and sitting seventh in the East, are navigating a thin frontcourt. Power forward Larry Nance Jr. is out with a calf injury, while shooting guard Max Strus remains sidelined indefinitely with a fractured left foot.
More pressing are the game-time decisions. Center Evan Mobley is listed as questionable with a calf issue, and his potential absence is a major concern. The Cavaliers have struggled mightily on the boards without Mobley, ranking near the bottom of the league in rebounding in recent games he has missed. Point guard Lonzo Ball is also questionable due to a knee problem.
The New York Knicks, holding a strong 20-9 record and the second seed in the conference, have their own injury woes. Guard depth is compromised with Miles McBride and Landry Shamet both ruled out. The spotlight, however, is on the status of floor general Jalen Brunson and defensive stalwart OG Anunoby, both tagged as questionable with ankle injuries. Forward Guerschon Yabusele is also questionable due to illness.
How Absences Reshape the Game Plan
The availability of Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson will dictate the entire flow of the contest. Mitchell is averaging 30.6 points per game and is the undisputed engine of the Cavaliers' offense. If he plays, the focus remains on elite star scoring. Should he or Brunson sit, the game dynamics shift dramatically towards depth, rebounding, and systematic execution.
For Cleveland, Darius Garland's reliable three-point shooting could be crucial against a Knicks defense that allows a high volume of perimeter shots. Center Jarrett Allen will be tasked with a heavier load inside, especially on the glass, if Mobley is unavailable.
For New York, everything operates through Brunson when he's on the floor. His ability to control the pace is vital against a Cleveland squad that prefers to play fast. The Knicks hold a significant rebounding advantage through Mitchell Robinson, while Karl-Anthony Towns' ability to space the floor can pull Cleveland's big men away from the paint.
Betting Outlook and Game Prediction
The Knicks enter as 5.5-point favorites, with the total points line set at 239.5. Madison Square Garden provides a clear home-court advantage for a Knicks team that has been steady at home and consistent against the spread. New York also won the first meeting this season, 119-111, back in October, while Cleveland has struggled in the role of a road underdog.
Given the injury situations that will force rotational adjustments on both benches, the edge leans toward the more consistent and higher-seeded Knicks, especially if they are closer to full strength. A projected score in the range of 122-114 in favor of New York fits the matchup, with the Knicks likely to cover the spread if either Mobley or Brunson are limited or absent.
This Christmas Day battle promises more than just holiday entertainment; it's a consequential game that could have ripple effects on the Eastern Conference playoff picture, decided as much by medical reports as by performances on the iconic Madison Square Garden floor.
