Who do Cavs play next? It's Cavaliers vs. Knicks in conference finals

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DETROIT — The Cavaliers are four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, but it's not so simple.

To reach the championship round, the Cavs must first defeat the New York Knicks in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals. The winner of Cavs versus Knicks will meet the winner of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

The Cavs traveled a lengthy path to face 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. One team has an advantage of a full week of rest over the other.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at Madison Square Garden. More information about the Cavs' next opponent is below.


Cavs playoffs: Cavaliers highlights, analysis, stats and recap from Game 7 vs. Pistons

New York Knicks starters and other key players​

Here are the Knicks starters with stats from this year's playoffs:

• Point guard Jalen Brunson (27.4 points on 48.5% shooting from the field, including 40.9% on 3-pointers, 2.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 34.7 minutes)
• Guard Josh Hart (10.3 points, 44%, 27.5%, nine rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 34 minutes)
• Small forwardMikal Bridges (13 points, 59.3%, 36.7%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, one steal, 29.2 minutes)
• Forward OG Anunoby (21.4 points, 61.9%, 53.8%, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 35.2 minutes)
• Center Karl-Anthony Towns (17.4 points, 58.7%, 48.3%, 10 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks, 28.5 minutes)

Other top Knicks players: guard Miles McBride, center Mitchell Robinson, guard Landry Shamet, center Ariel Hukporti, guard Jose Alvarado and guard Jordan Clarkson

Knicks injury report​

The Knicks ended their most recent series with one player on their injury report. Forward OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) was ruled out of Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 10.

New York Knicks coach Mike Brown is a former Cavaliers head coach​

The Cavs just eliminated former Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who's in charge of the Pistons. Knicks coach Mike Brown is also a former Cavs coach.

Brown had two stints at the helm of the Cavs (2005-10 and 2013-14).

Cavs playoffs: How we saw the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series unfolding in the second round

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What is Cavs' record vs. Knicks? Cavaliers went 1-2 against the New York Knicks in 2025-26 regular season​

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

Cavs playoff schedule. When do the Cavaliers and Knicks play next?​

• Game 1: Cavs at Knicks, time TBD Tuesday, May 19, TBD network
• Game 2: Cavs at Knicks, time TBD Thursday, May 21, TBD network
• Game 3: Knicks at Cavs, time TBD Saturday, May 23, TBD network
• Game 4: Knicks at Cavs, time TBD Monday, May 25, TBD network
• Game 5: Cavs at Knicks, time TBD Wednesday, May 27, TBD network, if necessary
• Game 6: Knicks at Cavs, time TBD Friday, May 29, TBD network, if necessary
• Game 7: Cavs at Knicks, time TBD Sunday, May 31, TBD network, if necessary

Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026​

Here are the second-round matchups:

• 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

Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era​

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

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Knicks. How Cavaliers match up in Eastern Conference Finals

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