Knicks Playoff Schedule Released As Team Eyes Deep Run

Knicks Playoff Schedule Released As Team Eyes Deep Run...

The New York Knicks' 2026 NBA playoff schedule was finalized Wednesday night, sparking excitement among fans as the team prepares for its first-round matchup. The Knicks secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed with a 52-30 regular-season record, their best in over a decade.

New York will face the sixth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, April 18. The series marks a rematch of last year’s first-round showdown, which the Knicks won in five games. Tickets for the home games sold out within minutes of going on sale Thursday morning.

The full schedule includes potential games through April 30 if the series goes seven games. Games 1 and 2 will be played in New York this weekend, with the series shifting to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 on April 22 and 24. ESPN and TNT will broadcast the nationally televised matchups.

The Knicks’ playoff push comes amid heightened expectations after their offseason acquisition of All-Star forward Pascal Siakam. Coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters Thursday the team is "fully healthy and ready to compete at our highest level." The schedule release trended nationally as fans debated whether New York could make its first Conference Finals appearance since 2000.

Local businesses near Madison Square Garden are preparing for increased foot traffic, with bars and restaurants extending hours for playoff games. The Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973, and this year’s roster has reignited hope among the team’s passionate fanbase. Game 1 tips off at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday.