Cavs Snubbed as NBA Announces Opening Night Schedule

The NBA has officially started dates and times of games for the 2026-27 NBA season. The networks they’ll be on, and where the stars that moved teams can first be seen. As expected, things are going to be opening up with the Philadelphia 76ers.

LeBron James will make his team debut alongside Jaylen Brown against the defending champion Knicks on Tuesday. Oct 20.

A three-game slate for the evening, the latter two of which will be in primetime.

NBA Opening Night on Oct. 20 on NBC:

- Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks

- OKC Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2026

There’s only one problem with the schedule. The Eastern Conference runners up are not included in the slate for night one.

Cavs Left Out of Night One Festivities

While it may not be considered a big deal to some that the Cavs don’t play on night one, in retrospect it is. The three other teams who made it to the Conf. Finals are all going to be on the floor when the season gets going. Cleveland is going to have to wait an extra couple of days, and even then, will be on the road for LeBron’s home debut with the Sixers.

Coming off the season they had, it’s certainly a surprise they won’t be playing. Even the Celtics, who traded Jaylen Brown in the offseason and lost in round one, will have a game on the first day. Albeit one that’s happening apparently at 3:00 PM, but still. It’s a sign of respect from the league and schedule makers to give squads the first games.

The 2026-27 NBA regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with an NBC/Peacock tripleheader.

• Celtics @ Pistons: The East’s top two teams in the 2025-26 regular season

• 76ers @ Knicks: New York begins its title defense as LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make their… pic.twitter.com/Mv9kNrtusi
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2026

Given that a WCF rematch will be happening in the West on leg two of the evening doubleheader, it really could have been the same in the East. Cleveland vs. New York could have been a highly contested game, as multiple of last year’s meetings were.

LeBron’s return to the East for the first time in eight years is what gives Philly precedence, and so unfortunately has the Cavs in the dust, despite all they accomplished a season ago. A little fuel to the fire right off the bat.

Because of course, just two days after, they’ll be welcomed (booed) in Philadelphia as James and Brown make their home debuts. Donovan Mitchell will be ready and raring to go.

Expect Plenty of National TV Love Nevertheless

Though they don’t get night one, the Cavs will be playing on ESPN on day three with that Sixers contest. As they have gotten to do the last couple of years, expect the team to have plenty of games on National TV. Between ESPN, Peacock, and Prime, there will be no shortage of Cleveland games on the major networks.

Continued rumors have swirled about the team being connected to Peyton Watson, as fans await the final dominoes falling after a long offseason of waiting. First, James spurned them. And there was no plan B at the ready, so it’s been a case of wondering when things will happen.

Whatever the final product looks like for this team, the expectation should be a whole lot of games on the national stage. Just like last season.

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