NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It will be here before you know it. The Cleveland Cavaliers have their full schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season, and you have a chance to mark your calendars and prepare for another year of Cavs basketball. Let's get a few notes out of the way. Cleveland will have 17 national TV games. Six on ESPN, four on Peacock, four on NBC, and three on Prime. The Cavs play on multiple holidays this year, including Halloween (against Milwaukee), New Year's Eve (at home versus the LA Clippers), Martin Luther King Day (versus the Detroit Pistons), and Valentine's Day against the Phoenix Suns. Plan your V-Day celebrations accordingly if you want to watch Donovan Mitchell get into another fight with Dillon Brooks.
🖨️ Print it out and hang it up.@SeatGeek | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/09fMe3voij — Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 13, 2026
The season opens on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22nd. The Cavs play their home opener two days later, on October 24, against the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland gets a three-game home stand here, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards next. From there, the start of the season is pretty brutal. Cleveland plays New York four times before Christmas. Then the 76ers and Thunder twice before Thanksgiving. The Cavs also play the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat twice each before the New Year. There will be no time for slouching in the 'ber months. The Cavs aren't being viewed as the same juggernaut they were going into last season. There's a general sentiment that the Eastern Conference has passed them by. From huge splashes from the 76ers, Heat, and Raptors to the return of Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers. The league isn't considering Cleveland as much as they did before. That should be used as motivation. Every game the Cavs play against an opponent who has 'lapped' them should be a chance to debunk the narrative. This tough stretch to open the season could be incredibly rewarding if Cleveland hits the ground running. A few other dates to keep in mind. Darius Garland makes his return to Cleveland on New Year's Eve. LeBron James plays in Cleveland on November 6th and March 1st. And, lest we forget, the Cavs' first preseason game begins at home on October 8th against the Boston Celtics.