Jose Alvarado was cleared on the Knicks' injury report Thursday night, four days after being listed day-to-day with a left knee issue. He now carries no designation into New York's season opener Monday against the Timberwolves.
What happened
Alvarado went from day-to-day to cleared on the Knicks' injury report Thursday, Oct. 8 at 10:31 p.m. ET. He had been listed day-to-day since Monday, Oct. 5, with a knee issue on his left leg. The report does not list a detail beyond the knee designation at the time he was day-to-day, and there is no comment attached to Thursday's clearance. No expected return date was needed since he is no longer listed as out or day-to-day.
What it means for the Knicks
New York opens its season Monday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Timberwolves on NBA TV, and Alvarado enters that game off the injury report. Last season he averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 19.9 minutes across 69 games. The Knicks have not played a game yet this season, so there is no record with or without him. Miles McBride logged 26.3 minutes and 12.0 points per game in the sample of games without Alvarado, giving an indication of who absorbs backcourt minutes when Alvarado is unavailable.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Alvarado keeps his clean status through the opener. No expected return timeline was needed since he is already cleared, and no further timeline was announced. The Knicks' season begins Monday against Minnesota, the first test of how he is used in the rotation to open 2026-27.
Is Jose Alvarado playing vs Timberwolves?
He is cleared on the Knicks' injury report as of Thursday, Oct. 8, with no designation heading into Monday's season opener against Minnesota.
When will Jose Alvarado be back?
He already has been cleared from day-to-day status with a left knee issue, as of Thursday, Oct. 8 at 10:31 p.m. ET.