Jaylon Tyson preps to return for Cavs vs. Knicks

The injury report says questionable. What Tyson did before the game looked a lot more like a guy who expects to play.

Chris Fedor

@ChrisFedor

#Cavs Jaylon Tyson (ankle) was on the court at his usual time preparing like a guy who was planning to play tonight.

That's the beat's read: same time as always, same routine, no sign of someone just getting a workout in before sitting another night. A player who's ruled out usually isn't on that schedule. It doesn't confirm he's playing, but nobody watching thought Tyson was getting ready to spend the night in a suit.

Some context on why it matters. Tyson has been out with the right ankle sprain for the Cavs' past 6 games, so this is the closest he's looked to returning in a while. Cleveland is already short-handed, too. The team's own preview lists Sam Merrill (elbow) and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) as out, so another healthy wing would help a rotation that's been stretched.

Cavs Twitter also noticed the team's social account getting into it, posting pictures of a player who's officially still questionable. That's usually a hint.

Ethan Sands

@EjElite1

Always a good sign when admin posts pictures of a player who is questionable on the injury report. Getting Jaylon Tyson (ankle) back would be impactful for this Cavs group, especially against Jalen Brunson.

Cleveland Cavaliers

@cavs

JT pics just dropped! #LetEmKnow 📸 THROUGH THE LENS: t.co/oKGnnr4fTx t.co/lG7S4Aljm8

The Brunson part is the real point. Stopping Jalen Brunson at the Garden takes bodies: wings who can switch, stay attached through screens and chase him without fouling. Getting Tyson back gives Cleveland another one of those guys, even if he's on a minutes limit after nearly 2 weeks off.

Tip is 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. Keep an eye on the final status update before the game. If Tyson is active, watch how many minutes he gets and whether he's on Brunson in crunch time. That'll show how much the Cavs trust the ankle.