Cavaliers vs. Knicks Nov. 7, 2026: 8 PM Tipoff and Injury Report Update

Information checked: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 6:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in Cleveland (EST, UTC−05:00; 23:01 UTC). The player statuses below are taken from the NBA's November 7, 4:45 p.m. EST injury report, not from a confirmed starting lineup.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the New York Knicks on Saturday, November 7, at 8:00 p.m. EST at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. That is 1:00 a.m. UTC on Sunday, November 8. The regular-season meeting brings together the clubs from the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, when New York swept Cleveland 4–0 on its way to the NBA championship. Before tipoff, the official NBA injury bulletin lists New York's Josh Hart out and Cleveland's Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson among its unavailable players. There was no verified result at this article's checking time.

Destaques

• Tipoff: November 7, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Cleveland EST (UTC−05:00), equivalent to November 8 at 01:00 UTC.
• Venue and TV: Rocket Arena; NBA TV is the confirmed U.S. national telecast.
• Official absences: Josh Hart (Knicks) and Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (Cavaliers) are listed out on the NBA's 4:45 p.m. EST report.
• Playoff history: New York won all four games of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals; this is a new regular-season matchup, not a continuation of that series.

What time is Cavaliers vs. Knicks on November 7, and where is it being played?

The NBA's NBA official Knicks–Cavaliers game center and the Cavaliers official game details list the game for Saturday, November 7 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern in Cleveland. Daylight saving time ended in the U.S. Eastern time zone on November 1, so the correct game-day offset is EST (UTC−05:00), not EDT (UTC−04:00). Readers following the game internationally should use the UTC conversion rather than applying their own current local offset without checking the date.

There is a discrepancy worth knowing: the Knicks' November 7 game-notes article displays 7:30 p.m. ET, while the NBA game page, Cavaliers game listing and league's NBA TV announcement all display 8:00 p.m. ET. This article uses the latter, multiply confirmed scheduled start. Fans should revisit the live game center for any last-minute change rather than treating a pregame note as a final schedule update.

Who is out for the Knicks and Cavaliers? What does the NBA injury report say?

The NBA official injury report, November 7 at 4:45 p.m. ET supplies the following statuses for NYK at CLE. It is stamped November 7, 2026, 4:45 p.m. EST (21:45 UTC). The status “Out” is an official designation in that snapshot; it does not establish a timetable for a player's return.

The G League designations are included so readers do not mistakenly classify every absence as a new physical injury. The report does not establish a confirmed starting five for either club, and an unlisted player's presence in this snapshot is not a guarantee that the player will appear. Check the NBA injury report updates and the game center again closer to tipoff for any revised status or official lineup announcement.

What happened when New York and Cleveland met in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals?

The recent playoff history makes this an unusually high-profile November game. According to the NBA 2026 Eastern Conference Finals results, the Knicks won the 2026 East finals 4–0: Game 1 finished 115–104 in overtime, followed by New York wins of 109–93, 121–108 and 130–93. The series ended on May 25 at Rocket Arena, the venue for this regular-season return. The Knicks subsequently won the 2026 NBA title, a distinction highlighted in the league's 2026–27 schedule release.

Those postseason scores explain the rematch narrative, but they are not a prediction of November 7. Personnel availability, rotations and early-season form are different from a playoff series. Cleveland's home court and New York's recent success set up a compelling contest; neither factor determines the outcome before the teams play.

How are the Cavaliers and Knicks coming into the game?

Cleveland: a short turnaround after the Philadelphia game

Cleveland's Cavaliers game preview (November 7) describes this as the second night of a home back-to-back. The Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers on November 6 in their opening NBA Cup outing. Donovan Mitchell produced 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and Mario Hezonja contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds. Those are confirmed figures from the team's preview, but the Philadelphia result is separate from the Knicks matchup.

Because Cleveland played the previous night, its availability and rotation are especially important. Allen's official absence removes an established interior option. If the Cavaliers compensate with different frontcourt combinations, their defensive rebounding and rim protection will be areas to watch. That is a tactical possibility, not a claim that a particular replacement has been announced.

New York: Brunson and Towns arrive after the Bulls win

The Knicks game notes (November 7) report that New York beat Chicago 135–105 on November 4. Jalen Brunson scored 33 points; Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds; OG Anunoby added 18 points. Those performances provide recent form, while Hart's right-ankle absence creates a separate question about wing minutes and secondary rebounding. No specific lineup change should be treated as official until the Knicks announce it.

Which matchups could decide Cleveland vs. New York?

Guard creation: Brunson's ability to generate offense against pressure and Mitchell's scoring-plus-playmaking are natural points of attention. Both featured in the 2026 conference finals, but what matters on November 7 is how the defenses cover them and whether help defenders can force difficult possessions.

Frontcourt possessions: With Allen listed out in the 4:45 p.m. report, Cleveland may have to manage paint defense and the glass differently. Towns and New York's other frontcourt options can test those decisions. Offensive rebounds and second-chance attempts are useful indicators; a particular rebounding edge cannot be presumed in advance.

Depth and fatigue: Cleveland's second game in two nights and multiple confirmed absences could alter its substitution patterns. Hart's absence also removes one of New York's usual rotation options. It will be important to compare actual minutes and available players after lineups are released, rather than projecting a final score from the injury list alone.

Where can fans watch Knicks vs. Cavaliers, and what happens next?

The league's NBA TV 2026–27 broadcast announcement confirms NBA TV coverage for the November 7 matchup. Cleveland's team preview also lists DAZN-CLE in its local market and radio coverage on WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS and La Mega 1300. The Knicks' game notes list MSG Networks. Broadcast availability may differ by location, provider and subscription; fans should check their own TV guide or the NBA game center before the game.

The teams have another scheduled meeting at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2026, and the league identifies a December 21 game in Cleveland as another Eastern Conference Finals rematch. The result of November 7 will provide fresh evidence about how these teams compare, but any consequences for standings or future matchups depend on what actually happens on court.

FAQ: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

What is the Cavaliers vs. Knicks start time on November 7?

The official NBA game listing schedules tipoff for Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. EST in Cleveland (UTC−05:00), which is Sunday, November 8 at 01:00 UTC.

Is Josh Hart playing against Cleveland?

No. The NBA's November 7, 4:45 p.m. EST injury report lists Hart out with right ankle soreness. Check later official reports for any change.

Did the Knicks eliminate the Cavaliers in the 2026 playoffs?

Yes. New York defeated Cleveland 4–0 in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. The November 7 meeting is part of the new 2026–27 regular season.

Official sources checked: NBA official Knicks–Cavaliers game center; NBA official injury report, November 7 at 4:45 p.m. ET; Cavaliers game preview (November 7); Knicks game notes (November 7); NBA 2026 Eastern Conference Finals results; NBA TV 2026–27 broadcast announcement; and NBA 2026–27 regular-season schedule release. Scheduled times and player designations may change after the stated checking time.