New York Knicks set ECF Game 1

The New York Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals on May 10 by finishing a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, but the NBA had not yet posted a date or tipoff time for Game 1 as of Thursday, May 14. NBA.com’s playoff bracket listed the East final as Detroit or Cleveland against New York, with every game in the series still marked “TBD.” The bracket leaves one unresolved piece before the Knicks can lock in a travel plan. Cleveland beat Detroit 117-113 in overtime on May 13 to cut the Pistons’ series lead to 3-2, and Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video, according to NBA.com. ### Why hasn’t Game 1 been posted yet? NBA.com said on its official 2026 playoff schedule page that the conference finals schedule “will be updated at the conclusion of the previous round.” The East final is still waiting on the winner of the Detroit-Cleveland semifinal, which means New York knows its slot in the bracket but not its opponent or opener details. (nba.com) The Knicks’ side of the bracket is settled. (nba.com) NBA.com’s playoff bracket shows New York, the No. 3 seed in the East, already through to the conference finals while Detroit and Cleveland continue their semifinal series. ### How did New York get there so quickly? New York completed the sweep with a 144-114 win over Philadelphia in Game 4 on May 10. NBA.com’s series page lists final scores of 137-98, 108-102, 108-94 and 144-114, giving the Knicks a 4-0 series win and a second straight trip to the Eastern Conference finals. (nba.com) Jalen Brunson led the series at 29.0 points per game, according to NBA.com, while the Knicks averaged 124.3 points across the four games. (nba.com) The Knicks’ official playoff page also described the club as having won a franchise-record seventh straight postseason game when it clinched the series. ### What is the biggest lineup question before the opener? OG Anunoby remains the clearest health question for New York. (nba.com) ESPN reported on May 7 that Anunoby had been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and was day-to-day after leaving Game 2 against Philadelphia. NBA.com’s Eastern Conference finals page said Anunoby was “working his way back” and noted that the Knicks had time before the next round started. (nba.com) ESPN’s Knicks injuries page listed him as day-to-day and had previously marked him questionable for Game 4 against Philadelphia. ### Who can the Knicks still face? Detroit and Cleveland are the only remaining possibilities. NBA.com’s schedule page shows Cleveland forcing Game 6 with the overtime win in Game 5, while the bracket identifies the East final matchup as “DET/CLE vs. (3) New York.” (espn.com) Seeding will determine home court once that series ends. Detroit is the No. 1 seed and Cleveland the No. 4 seed on the NBA bracket, while New York is No. 3, meaning the location of Game 1 depends on which team emerges from the semifinal. (nba.com) ### What should fans watch for next? Friday, May 15, is the next firm date on the East side of the bracket. NBA.com lists Detroit at Cleveland for Game 6 at 7 p.m. (nba.com) Eastern, and if the Pistons and Cavaliers need a seventh game, it is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. The NBA’s playoff schedule page is the league’s official posting point for the conference finals calendar. Once Detroit-Cleveland is decided, that page is expected to add the Knicks’ Game 1 date, time and broadcast details. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)