New York Knicks set Game 1 date

The New York Knicks know the date window for the start of the Eastern Conference finals, even if they do not yet know the opponent. The NBA’s official playoff schedule on May 14 listed New York’s East finals series against either Detroit or Cleveland as still to be determined, after the Knicks swept Philadelphia 4-0 in the second round. The league schedule shows Detroit at Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday, May 15, with a Game 7, if necessary, set for Sunday, May 17. Reporting circulated on May 14 that the East finals would open May 17 if Detroit-Cleveland ends in six games and May 19 if the series goes seven. ### Why is the Knicks’ Game 1 date still not locked in? The NBA schedule on May 14 left every East finals game listed as “TBD,” while the remaining Detroit-Cleveland semifinal series was still active. The official bracket page shows Cleveland cutting Detroit’s lead to 3-2 and Game 6 scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video on May 15. If a Game 7 is needed on May 17, the conference finals would begin later to avoid an immediate turnaround for the winner, according to reporting by Sports Illustrated citing the NBA’s two scheduling scenarios. (nba.com) Ian Begley reported on May 14 that the Knicks would open on May 17 if the Pistons-Cavaliers series ends in six games and on May 19 if it goes the distance. That matches the timing pressure created by the official semifinal calendar, which still includes a possible Game 7 on Sunday. ### How did New York reach the conference finals so quickly? (nba.com) New York finished the second round on May 10 with a 144-114 win over Philadelphia, completing a four-game sweep after first-round wins over Atlanta. The NBA’s official playoff page lists second-round scores of 137-98, 108-102, 108-94 and 144-114 against the 76ers. The Associated Press reported that the Knicks have won seven straight games since trailing Atlanta 2-1 in the first round. (si.com) AP also said New York has outscored Atlanta and Philadelphia by a combined 194 points through its first 10 postseason games, the largest margin ever at that point of a playoff run. (nba.com) ### What is the latest on OG Anunoby? OG Anunoby returned to practice on May 13, but only in a limited role. Mike Brown told reporters that Anunoby took part in “some parts of practice” and did not participate when the Knicks went live, according to the Associated Press and other reports from Wednesday’s session in Greenburgh, New York. (foxsports.com) Brown said he did not know whether Anunoby would be ready for Game 1. “They told me what he could do today. They have not told me what he could do tomorrow, so I don’t know what he’ll be able to do for Game 1,” Brown said, according to the Associated Press account published by Fox Sports and ABC News. (foxsports.com) Ian Begley said on SNY programming that, barring setbacks, he expected Anunoby to be available for Game 1, but that remains reporter-based expectation rather than a formal team declaration. ESPN’s team page listed Anunoby as day-to-day on May 14. ### Who could the Knicks face next? Detroit and Cleveland are the only remaining East semifinalists on New York’s side of the bracket. (foxsports.com) The NBA schedule shows Detroit leading the series 3-2 after Cleveland won Game 5 in overtime, 117-113. Home-court advantage also remains unsettled. Detroit is the No. 1 seed and Cleveland the No. 4 seed, while New York entered the bracket as the No. 3 seed, according to the NBA playoff page. (sports.yahoo.com) That means the Knicks would open at home against Cleveland but on the road against Detroit if the top-seeded Pistons advance. ### What happens next on the calendar? Friday, May 15, is the next date that matters for New York, with Detroit visiting Cleveland in Game 6 of the other East semifinal. (nba.com) If Cleveland forces Game 7, that deciding game is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, and the Knicks’ conference finals opener would shift to May 19, according to May 14 reporting on the league’s schedule scenarios. If Detroit-Cleveland ends Friday, New York’s Game 1 would be May 17.