CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NBA unveiled the first-round playoff schedule for the top-seeded Cavs early Wednesday morning, setting the stage for what could be a defining postseason run.
But while the dates are locked in, Cleveland will have to wait just a bit longer to find out who it’ll be facing.
The Cavs’ playoff journey begins Sunday, April 20, with Game 1 tipping off at 7 p.m. on TNT at Rocket Arena.
The series continues on Wednesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV for Game 2. Game 3 is set for Saturday, April 26, at 1 p.m. on TNT, when the series shifts to the lower seed’s arena.
Beyond Game 3, broadcast details and tipoff time remain to be determined, but the remainder of the first-round series is scheduled as follows:
- Game 4: Monday, April 28
- Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30
- Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 2
- Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 4
As the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs have earned the right to rest, reset and prepare, even without knowing their opponent just yet.
With the Orlando Magic securing the No. 7 seed after a win over Atlanta on Tuesday and setting up a showdown with the second-seeded Boston Celtics, the eighth seed remains undecided.
The play-in chaos now narrows to three: the Hawks, Bulls and Heat.
Wednesday night’s matchup between Chicago and Miami at the United Center will eliminate one team and send the other into a do-or-die meeting with Atlanta on Friday at State Farm Arena.
The winner of that final play-in game will claim the East’s No. 8 spot and have to travel to Cleveland to face the Cavs.
How to watch the Cavs: See how to watch the Cavs games with this handy game-by-game TV schedule.
If Atlanta takes care of business on Friday and secures the No. 8 seed, the Cavs’ first-round opponent would come with a bit of a familiar flavor.
The Hawks would bring a mini reunion, featuring Caris LeVert and Georges Niang — two key locker room voices the Cavs dealt to Atlanta at the trade deadline in a move that brought De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland.
The trade, made with the postseason in mind, could now set the stage for a full-circle showdown. And while the Hawks stumbled in their first play-in game against Orlando, they’ll host Friday’s finale with a spot in the playoffs on the line — and no shortage of motivation.
Whoever emerges from the play-in fray will enter the postseason already battle-tested but also potentially battered.
Meanwhile, the Cavs will enjoy home court and a few extra days to scout, scheme and settle in. The opponent is unknown. The mission is not.
