Knicks announce Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 date; OG Anunoby status updated

The New York Knicks have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, but the date of Game 1 was still unresolved as of Thursday because Cleveland and Detroit had not finished their second-round series. The NBA’s official playoff schedule listed the East finals matchup against New York as “TBD” and said conference finals dates would be updated when the previous round ends. The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in the semifinals, giving them several days off while they wait for either the Cavaliers or Pistons. OG Anunoby’s health has become the main roster question during that break after the forward missed the last two games of the Philadelphia series with a right hamstring strain. ### Why hasn’t the Knicks’ Game 1 date been finalized? The NBA said on its official 2026 playoff schedule page that the conference finals schedule will be updated at the conclusion of the previous round. Cleveland led Detroit 3-2 entering Game 6, scheduled for Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. ET, with a Game 7, if necessary, listed for Sunday, May 17. The East finals pairing was still shown as “DET/CLE vs. (3) New York” with all game times marked “TBD.” (nba.com) Heavy, citing the league’s scheduling setup, reported that New York would open either on May 17 or May 19 depending on whether the Cavaliers-Pistons series ends in six games or goes seven. That report was not reflected as a finalized posting on the NBA’s official schedule page as of Thursday morning, which continued to list Game 1 as undetermined. (nba.com) ### What is the latest on OG Anunoby’s hamstring? OG Anunoby suffered the injury late in Game 2 against Philadelphia, and the Knicks later listed him with a strained right hamstring. Anunoby was ruled day to day ahead of Game 3, according to an Associated Press report published by NBA.com on May 7. Shams Charania said Wednesday on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” that there was optimism Anunoby could return for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. (heavy.com) Yahoo Sports, summarizing Charania’s report, said Anunoby participated in parts of practice and also completed an individual on-court workout, adding that “barring any setbacks,” there was optimism about his availability for the opener. (nba.com) The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Anunoby “could only participate in some parts of practice” when the Knicks returned to work in Greenburgh, New York. The report added that New York had time to be patient because the team would not begin the conference finals for at least several more days. ### How much has the extra rest mattered for New York? (sports.yahoo.com) New York closed out Philadelphia on May 10 with a 144-114 win in Game 4, completing its first best-of-seven sweep since 1999, according to Yahoo Sports. That result created a longer recovery window than the Knicks would usually get between playoff rounds. (nba.com) The NBA’s playoff bracket showed the Knicks at 8-2 through two rounds and idle while Cleveland and Detroit continued their series. NBA.com also highlighted Anunoby’s recovery on its playoff page Thursday, saying the Knicks “have time before they start the Eastern Conference Finals, so they can be patient.” ### What had Anunoby been doing before the injury? Anunoby was averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason when he went down, according to NBA.com’s May 7 injury report. (sports.yahoo.com) The same report said he was shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range through that point in the playoffs. Yahoo Sports said Anunoby had missed Games 3 and 4 against Philadelphia after exiting Game 2, and noted that he had been one of New York’s most productive postseason scorers before the setback. (nba.com) His availability for the next round would affect a rotation that stayed intact long enough to finish the sweep without him. (nba.com) ### What happens next on the calendar? Friday, May 15 is the next date that matters for New York, because Cleveland hosts Detroit in Game 6 of the other Eastern Conference semifinal at 7 p.m. ET. If that series extends, Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, and the NBA has said the conference finals schedule will be updated once the round is complete. (nba.com) (sports.yahoo.com)