The NBA's official injury report lists Allen, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin as out due to injuries. Khalifa Diop, Tristan Enaruna, and Ernest Udeh Jr. are also unavailable because of their G League assignments or two-way status. For New York, Josh Hart has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Allen injured his right knee during Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was also unavailable for Cleveland's NBA Cup victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Merrill, who took his place in the starting lineup, will also miss Saturday's game because of a right elbow injury. Tyson and Tomlin remain out with a right ankle sprain and lower back stress reaction, respectively.
Without Allen, head coach Kenny Atkinson may continue using Evan Mobley as his starting center. Mobley delivered 22 points and six rebounds against Philadelphia, while Thomas Bryant provided a boost off the bench with 13 points and six rebounds.
Merrill's absence also leaves Atkinson with another decision on the wing. He could retain the Mobley-Watson frontcourt combination but would need to find a replacement for Merrill in the starting lineup.
Cleveland averages 119.2 points per game, fourth in the NBA. However, the Cavaliers will need contributions from their available players to maintain that production against a Knicks team led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.