New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Where to watch Game 1 tonight, tipoff time, conference finals schedule and more
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)
