The New York Knicks (37-21) travel to Ohio to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. This contest, representing the third and final regular-season meeting between these Eastern Conference titans, carries significant implications for postseason positioning.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Brown, the New York Knicks have undergone a tactical renaissance, emerging as a premier force in the Eastern Conference with a 37-21 record. Brown was hired following an exhaustive offseason search for a “collaborative” coach who could maximize the front office’s significant investment in elite wing talent. The Knicks currently rank third in the league in Offensive Rating (119.6) and fifth in Net Rating (+5.8), signaling their status as a genuine championship contender. This offensive efficiency is driven by a pace-controlled system that prioritizes high-quality looks, ranking 25th in the league in pace (97.7) while maintaining the ninth-best scoring average at 117.5 points per game.
The narrative of the Knicks’ season has been one of resilience and structural depth. A defining moment occurred on February 21, 2026, when the Knicks overcame an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 108-106 at Madison Square Garden. This comeback was orchestrated by a masterclass in situational coaching; Mike Brown, acting on a suggestion from assistant coach Rick Brunson, benched starters Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges in favor of defensive sparkplug Jose Alvarado and shooter Landry Shamet.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) have transformed into the “hottest team in the NBA” following a seismic mid-season transaction. On February 4, 2026, the Cavaliers traded star guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for perennial All-Star James Harden. This move, which also brought in defensive specialist Keon Ellis and veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, has sparked a 7-1 run, with Cleveland entering the final week of February sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just a game back from second.
The integration of James Harden has provided the Cavaliers with a level of veteran leadership and playmaking stability that was previously inconsistent due to Garland’s injury concerns. Harden’s impact is most visible in his relationship with the Cavaliers’ big men. Jarrett Allen has looked like an All-Star under Harden’s guidance, averaging a 20-point double-double since the trade deadline. Furthermore, Harden’s presence has allowed Donovan Mitchell to operate at the peak of his offensive powers. Mitchell currently ranks seventh in the league in scoring (28.6 PPG) and has benefited from the decreased playmaking burden, focusing instead on elite shot creation and transition scoring.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers online – national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams
For viewers within the respective local markets, the game will be carried by regional sports networks. In Northern California, the broadcast is exclusive to NBC Sports California (NBCS-CA). In the Memphis region, the game will air on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSN SE-MEM), which serves as the television home for the Grizzlies.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers internationally
If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.
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Probable Starting Lineups
For the New York Knicks, the starting five will likely consist of Jalen Brunson at point guard, Josh Hart at shooting guard, Mikal Bridges at small forward, OG Anunoby at power forward, and Karl-Anthony Towns at center. This “Villanova Core” plus Towns has provided the Knicks with stability and versatile defensive looks, though Mike Brown has increasingly turned to Jose Alvarado as a primary bench option to push the pace and pressure opposing ball-handlers. The Knicks’ bench rotation is expected to be led by Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, with Jeremy Sochan and rookie Mohamed Diawara providing defensive depth on the wings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will counter with a star-studded starting unit featuring James Harden at point guard, Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard, Dean Wade at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. The integration of James Harden as the primary facilitator allows Donovan Mitchell to act as a pure scorer, a dynamic that has already proven difficult for opponents to defend. Off the bench, the Cavaliers will rely on the veteran presence of Dennis Schroder and the sharpshooting of Sam Merrill, who remains a critical floor-spacer in the absence of Max Strus.
Head-to-Head Series History
The 2025-26 season series has thus far belonged to the New York Knicks, who carry a 2-0 record into the February 24 finale. The narratives of these two prior games underscore the tactical adaptability of the Knicks and the frustration of a Cleveland team that, prior to the Harden trade, struggled to close out tight contests.