How to watch today's New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off with a heavyweight clash on Wednesday as the New York Knicks square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

New York is coming off a frustrating end to last season after falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, a repeat of the previous year’s disappointment. That back-to-back heartbreak proved costly for Tom Thibodeau, who was let go despite keeping the Knicks in contention. 

Cleveland, on the other hand, enters the new campaign with unfinished business of their own. Kenny Atkinson injected new energy into the Cavaliers last season, and they shot out of the gates as one of the league’s early surprises, quickly climbing the Eastern Conference standings. They secured a top playoff seed and believed they were poised for a deep run — until the Pacers slammed the door on that dream in the Conference Semifinals, delivering a reality check.

Below, GOAL brings you everything you need to watch the Knicks vs Cavaliers game today.

Knicks vs Cavaliers: Date & Tip-off Time

The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers will face off in a highly anticipated NBA encounter on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 7:00 pm ET/ 4:00 pm PTat Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

How to watch the Knicks vs Cavaliers NBA match online - TV Channels & Live Streams

• TV Channel: ESPN
• Livestream:Fubo

The Knicks vs Cavaliers game will air on ESPN nationally. The game can also be streamed onFubo. 

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Team News & Key Performers

New York Knicks

The front office made it clear: reaching the Finals is no longer just a dream, it’s the standard. Mike Brown steps in as the new head coach, and he immediately inherits sky-high expectations. With Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns still anchoring the squad, the core remains intact, but the rumor mill won’t stop churning about a potential blockbuster move for Giannis Antetokounmpo. If that scenario unfolds, it could flip the entire roster on its head, and nobody’s spot would be guaranteed.

For now, though, the lineup looks very similar to last season’s. The projected starters should remain unchanged unless a trade shakes things up late. Mikal Bridges has delivered glimpses of star-level play since arriving in New York, but the Knicks will need more consistent scoring from him. OG Anunoby has earned his place as a crowd favorite at Madison Square Garden, while Josh Hart continues to set the tone defensively. The front office did address a lingering issue by adding Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to bolster the bench, a major weak spot under Thibodeau’s heavy-minutes approach that often left key players gassed and injury-prone when the postseason pressure hit.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Despite the setback, the Cavs opted to keep their core intact. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen remain the pillars of the franchise, and expectations are clear: this group needs to take the next step. The front office didn’t make sweeping changes, but Ty Jerome’s exit and the additions of Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance should provide some fresh rotation options. Depth is still a strength with De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade, and Max Strus, though Strus is set to miss the first stretch of the season due to injury.

At the end of the day, all eyes will be on the stars. Donovan Mitchell is under pressure to silence critics who claim he can’t carry a team through the postseason gauntlet. Evan Mobley has the talent to make a leap into elite territory, and Garland must sustain his high level of play. Most importantly, the Cavaliers will need better luck on the health front after injuries robbed them of momentum at key moments last year.

Knicks vs Cavaliers: Head-to-Head Records