Cavaliers to open 2025-26 campaign at Madison Square Garden
cavaliers-open-2025-26-season-knicks
The Cleveland Cavaliers will launch the 2025-26 NBA season on Oct. 22 with a road matchup against the New York Knicks, the league announced Monday.
Tipoff at Madison Square Garden is set for 7 p.m. ET, and ESPN will carry the broadcast.
National spotlight returns
Cleveland, coming off a 64-18 record and viewed as an Eastern Conference title threat, is scheduled for several high-profile dates. The club will return to MSG on Dec. 25 for its first Christmas Day appearance since the LeBron James era. The Cavaliers’ inaugural Christmas game took place in 1977, when Campy Russell scored 28 points in a 111-105 win over the Buffalo Braves.
This year’s holiday meeting will feature Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen against a Knicks squad led by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and newcomer—and former Cavaliers coach—Mike Brown.
Additional marquee games
The Cavaliers will host the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19. Another early-season contest is set for Oct. 27 in Detroit, where the Pistons will welcome Cleveland for a game streamed on Peacock.
The NBA plans to release its complete 2025-26 schedule on Thursday.
Source: Hoops Wire
