New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Where to watch Game 1 tonight, tipoff time, conference finals schedule and more
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The New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of their 2026 Eastern Conference finals this Tuesday night. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN. Want to tune in to the Western Conference finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the OKC Thunder? Those games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock throughout the week. Stay up-to-date with the latest playoff news in our playoffs hub for scores, stats, and more, and check out the schedule below for all of this week's upcoming games.

Here's everything you need to know so you won't miss the Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 1, or any other playoff games this week.  

How to watch the New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1:

Date: May 19, 2026

Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

TV channel: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, DirecTV, YouTube TV and more

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game time: 

Game 1 between the Knicks and Cavaliers tips off at 8 p.m. ET. 

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1 channel:

The Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 1 will be broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch the New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1 without cable:

NBA playoff games on ESPN are also streaming on ESPN Unlimited, as well as on streaming platforms like DirecTV and YouTube TV. 

More ways to watch NBA Playoff Games:

2026 NBA playoffs schedule:

All times Eastern

Monday, May 18

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Tuesday, May 19

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, May 20

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Thursday, May 21

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday, May 22

  • OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Saturday, May 23

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Sunday, May 24

  • OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs: 8 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Monday, May 25

  • New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 8 p.m. (ESPN)


If necessary:

Tuesday, May 26

  • OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Wednesday, May 27

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Thursday, May 28

  • OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Friday, May 29

  • New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, May 30

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder: 8 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Sunday, May 31

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Remaining NBA playoffs key dates:
  • May 4: Conference Semifinals begin

  • May 18: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock

  • May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC

  • June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)



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