NEW YORK — The first playoff nemesis the Cavaliers encountered during their Donovan Mitchell era is the same one standing between Cleveland and the 2026 NBA Finals.
The Cavs and New York Knicks will clash again in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday, May 19, at Madison Square Garden. Mitchell’s hometown Knicks eliminated the all-star guard and the Cavs from the 2023 playoffs with a 4-1 series victory in the first round. After recently beating the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavs are seeking retribution against the Knicks.
Whichever team seizes the East’s crown will advance to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs for the NBA title. The Spurs lead that series 1-0.
Tipoff for Game 1 between the fourth-seeded Cavs and third-seeded Knicks is scheduled for 8 p.m. Live score updates, highlights, analysis and stats will be here throughout the opener of the Eastern Conference Finals:
The Knicks started slow offensively, but the Cavs couldn’t take advantage of it, and a Jalen Brunson bucket has given New York their first lead of the night at 14-13 with 3:46 left in the first quarter of Game 1.
Brunson is up to eight points, a game high so far. Donovan Mitchell has seven points for the Cavs. If those two went toe-to-toe scoring wise, it’d make for a fun matchup.
The Knicks might be showing some rust after more than week off after all.
The Cavs opened the game on an 8-2 run and now lead 10-4 with 8:15 left in the first quarter. The Knicks have hit just two of their first eight shots from the floor as both offenses settle into the series.
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Game 1. Cavs playoffs TV channel and streaming info for Eastern Conference Finals
Game 1 between the Cavs and Knicks will be televised nationally by ESPN.
Cavs radio station info
The local radio broadcast of Game 1 can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM). The national radio broadcast can be heard via ESPN Radio.
Cavs injury report vs. Knicks for Game 1
The Cavs listed backup forward Larry Nance Jr. (illness) as questionable for Game 1 against the Knicks.
Cavs starting lineup vs. Knicks for Game 1
- Here’s the starting lineup the Cavs will roll out for Game 1:
- Point guard James Harden
- Guard Donovan Mitchell
- Small forward Dean Wade
- Forward Evan Mobley
- Center Jarrett Allen
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson speaks before Game 1 vs the Knicks. Video.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson speaks before Game 1 vs the Knicks. Video.
The Knicks listed starting forward OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) as probable for Game 1 against the Cavs. He missed Games 3 and 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
- This will be updated when the Knicks announce their Game 1 starting lineup, but here is the most recent starting lineup they used (Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers):
- Point guard Jalen Brunson
- Guard Miles McBride
- Forward Josh Hart
- Forward Mikal Bridges
- Center Karl-Anthony Towns
Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer in each of its three games against the Knicks this season, putting up 31, 34 and 23 points. The Knicks won the first two games, both in New York, before the Cavs won the third on Feb. 24 in Cleveland.
The Cavs traveled a lengthy path to meet the Knicks, winning series in seven games against the Toronto Raptors in the first round and the Detroit Pistons in the second round. The Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks in six games in Round 1 and swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in Round 2. The Cavs-Pistons series ended on May 17, with Cleveland triumphing 125-94 in Game 7 in Detroit, and the Knicks-Pistons series ended on May 10.
“They’re rested, and they’re a juggernaut right now,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said of the Knicks.
The Cavs went 1-2 against the Knicks in the 2025-26 regular season.
- Here are the results from those Cavs-Knicks games:
- Oct. 22: Cavs lost 119-111 on the road
- Dec. 25: Cavs lost 126-124 on the road
- Feb. 24: Cavs won 109-94 at home
- Here is the Eastern Conference Finals schedule:
- Game 1: Cavs at Knicks, 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, ESPN
- Game 2: Cavs at Knicks, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21, ESPN
- Game 3: Knicks at Cavs, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23, ABC
- Game 4: Knicks at Cavs, 8 p.m. Monday, May 25, ESPN
- Game 5: Cavs at Knicks, 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, ESPN, if necessary
- Game 6: Knicks at Cavs, 8 p.m. Friday, May 29, ESPN, if necessary
- Game 7: Cavs at Knicks, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31, ESPN, if necessary
Here are the second-round results:
- No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers; Cavs won series 4-3
- No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers; Knicks won series 4-0
Here are the first-round results:
- No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic; Pistons won series 4-3
- No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers; 76ers won series 4-3
- No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks; Knicks won series 4-2
- No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors; Cavs won series 4-3
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
- Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
- 2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
- 2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
- 2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
The Cavs have never defeated the Knicks in a playoff series. Cleveland’s all-time postseason record against New York is 2-12.
- Here is the playoff history between the Cavs and Knicks:
- 2023: No. 4 Cavs lost 4-1 to No. 5 Knicks in first round
- 1996: No. 4 Cavs lost 3-0 to No. 5 Knicks in first round
- 1995: No. 6 Cavs lost 3-1 to No. 3 Knicks in first round
- 1978: No. 4 Cavs lost 2-0 to No. 5 Knicks in first round
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at BJSports@thebeaconjournal.com.
