The New York Knicks are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals, but their Game 1 timeline — and the status of a key starter — remains tied to an ongoing second-round series.
New York will open the conference finals either on May 17 or May 19, depending on how the matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons plays out.
Knicks Game 1 Schedule Hinges on Cavaliers–Pistons Finish
The Cavaliers grabbed a 3-2 lead after a come-from-behind 117-113 overtime win in Game 5.
Game 6 is on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Sunday, May 17 in Detroit.
If the Cavaliers wrap up in Game 6, the Knicks will host Game 1 on May 17.
If the Pistons extend the series to Game 7, the start shifts to May 19, extending New York’s rest window ahead of the conference finals.
A Pistons comeback will move Game 1 to Detroit.
Knicks Could Gain Extra Rest Before Eastern Conference Finals
The scheduling scenario gives New York a potential advantage.
While Cleveland and Detroit continue a physical second-round battle, the Knicks remain off the court — gaining valuable recovery time before facing either opponent.
That added rest could prove especially important given the team’s health situation entering the next round.
OG Anunoby Trending Toward Game 1 Return
OG Anunoby has been sidelined for about a week with a right hamstring injury suffered in Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 6.
There is increasing optimism that he will be available for Game 1.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is an expectation Anunoby will return for the Eastern Conference finals opener if he avoids setbacks.
“There is an expectation that he will be able to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals,” Charania said. “The expectation and hope is that he will be a go for Game 1.”
Knicks coach Mike Brown said Anunoby has already resumed partial on-court work.
“He participated in some parts of practice,” Brown said. “When we went live, he didn’t go live.”
New York’s Offensive Surge Driving Playoff Run
New York’s momentum entering the conference finals has been fueled by a dramatic shift early in the playoffs.
After dropping two straight games to the lower-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Knicks adjusted their approach ahead of Game 4 — a move that reshaped how the team attacked.
Since then, New York has won seven consecutive games, the longest playoff winning streak in franchise history.
The turnaround has been driven by a more balanced offense that has unlocked multiple playmakers. During that stretch, the Knicks have produced the top offense and the second-best defense, a combination that has overwhelmed opponents.
That evolution was on full display in the second round against Philadelphia.
The Knicks completed a sweep with a 144-114 victory, tying an NBA postseason record with 25 made 3-pointers in the closeout game.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 22 points, while Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points apiece. Miles McBride chipped in 25 points, including seven 3-pointers.
Through two rounds, the Knicks have outscored opponents by an average of 19.4 points per game — the largest margin in the NBA playoffs since the league expanded to a 16-team format in 1984.
Returning to East Finals With Different Formula
The Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight season, but this run has taken on a different shape.
A year ago, New York fell to the Indiana Pacers after a taxing playoff stretch that saw its starters log heavy minutes.
This time, under Brown, the Knicks have leaned into a more balanced system.
The shift has reduced the workload on the starting unit while producing more efficient results. New York has consistently built large leads, allowing for greater rotation flexibility and limiting the wear that defined last year’s run.
Knicks Await Opponent — and Final Timeline
For now, New York remains in a holding pattern while Cleveland and Detroit determine the matchup.
Whether Game 1 tips on May 17 or May 19, the Knicks will enter the Eastern Conference finals with momentum — and potentially a key piece back in the lineup.
And if the second-round series stretches further, the extra time could give the Knicks exactly what they need:
Rest, recovery — and a chance to open the conference finals closer to full strength.
Knicks ECF Game 1 Schedule Set — OG Anunoby Status Looms