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:
Mitchell Robinson tormenting Cavs in playoffs again
The Cavs who have been around for a few years might have nightmares about Mitchell Robinson did to them in the playoffs the last time these two teams met, and he’s again making his presence felt.
Robinson essentially forced Evan Mobley into a travel and then was on the receiving end of an alley-oop dunk that drew a loud roar from the crowd.
The Cavs have gone ice cold from the offensive end, and the Knicks now lead 20-15 with a minute left in the ifrst quarter.
Jalen Brunson puts Knicks ahead vs Cavs
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.
Josh Hart also put together a nifty move to spin past James Harden, leading to a layup.
What’s the score of Cavs v Knicks Game 1?
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
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson talks before Game 1 vs. Knicks
Knicks injury report vs. Cavs for Game 1
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.
Knicks starting lineup vs. Cavs for Game 1
Donovan Mitchell stats vs. Knicks
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.
Rest or lack thereof will be hot topic for Game 1 of Cavs vs. Knicks
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.
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.
Cavs playoff schedule. When do the Cavaliers and Knicks play next?
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round results:
Here are the first-round results:
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Cavs playoff history vs. Knicks
The Cavs have never defeated the Knicks in a playoff series. Cleveland’s all-time postseason record against New York is 2-12.
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.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers live score updates tonight vs Knicks. Game 1 underway
Reporting by Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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