Over the course of the 2024-25 season, the Knicks and Cavs met four times; Cleveland won all four games. In their most recent matchup, New York put up a valiant effort and lost 108-102; Brunson led the way scoring 27 while Josh Hart chipped in 11 rebounds and Mikal Bridges added eight assists.

The Cavs will spend Christmas in New York. For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the last year of the LeBron James era, Cleveland is reportedly part of the NBA’s marquee five-game Christmas Day lineup — a slate reserved for the league’s premier teams and brightest stars.

There are few sure things in life, and the Knicks playing on Christmas is one of them. But this time, the schedulemakers hit a home run.