Look, being a Knicks fan is basically an endurance sport. You spend decades waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel, and then suddenly, Jalen Brunson shows up and turns Madison Square Garden back into the loudest building on earth. If you're currently staring at your calendar wondering when the real season starts, you aren't alone. Everyone is asking about the ny knicks playoff schedule, but because the NBA likes to keep us on our toes, the official bracket won't be set in stone until the regular season wraps up on April 12, 2026.
Right now, the Knicks are sitting pretty. They’ve spent most of this 2025-26 season hovering around the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only a surprisingly dominant Detroit Pistons squad. After winning the Emirates NBA Cup back in December—yeah, we finally got a trophy—this team is playing with a different kind of swagger. Mike Brown has them locked in defensively, and Karl-Anthony Towns is looking like the missing piece we actually needed.
But when do the games start? Honestly, you need to circle April 18, 2026, on your calendar. That is the universal "go" date for the NBA Playoffs.
When Does the ny knicks playoff schedule Actually Begin?
If the standings hold, the Knicks will avoid the Play-In Tournament stress. Thank goodness. Nobody needs that kind of heart palpitations in mid-April. Since the Knicks are currently 25-15 and fighting for that second spot, they’ll likely get a week of rest while the 7-through-10 seeds beat each other up from April 14 to April 17.
Here is how the timeline is shaping up for the first round:
The ny knicks playoff schedule for the first round will most likely kick off on either Saturday, April 18, or Sunday, April 19. If they keep the 2nd seed, Game 1 and Game 2 will be at the Garden. There is nothing like a playoff game at MSG. The air feels different. Even the overpriced popcorn tastes better when there’s postseason energy in the room.
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Game 3 and Game 4 will shift to the opponent’s arena, likely around April 23 and April 25. If the series goes the distance—and let's be real, the Knicks love a good seven-game drama—Game 7 would land right around May 3 back in Manhattan.
Potential First-Round Matchups
Basically, the Eastern Conference is a mess of "who wants it more" right now. If the season ended today, the Knicks would face the winner of the Play-In Tournament. That means we could be looking at a rematch with the Philadelphia 76ers or perhaps a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers are always a headache because of Joel Embiid, but with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges on the wings, the Knicks have the best defensive duo in the league to throw at star players. It’s kinda scary how good those two are when they’re locked in.
Breaking Down the Full Postseason Roadmap
Assuming the Knicks handle business in the first round (fingers crossed), the schedule gets even more intense. The Conference Semifinals are slated to begin around May 5 or 6, though the NBA sometimes moves those up to May 3 if the first-round series end early.
If you’re planning your life around the ny knicks playoff schedule, here is the bird's-eye view of the key dates:
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- April 12: Regular Season Finale vs. Charlotte (This is a home game at MSG).
- April 14–17: Play-In Tournament (Knicks will likely be watching from the couch).
- April 18: The first round of the NBA Playoffs officially starts.
- May 5–6: Target start date for the Conference Semifinals.
- May 20: Projected start for the Eastern Conference Finals.
- June 4: Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The dream is obviously June. This roster is built for it. We’ve got the depth, we’ve got the shooting, and we have the "Nova Knicks" chemistry that seems to make them play like they’re reading each other’s minds.
What Most People Get Wrong About Playoff Seeding
A lot of folks assume that finishing with the 2nd seed is a guaranteed ticket to the second round. It isn't. The East is deeper than it’s been in years. The Orlando Magic are huge and athletic. The Boston Celtics are... well, they’re the Celtics. You can never count them out.
The ny knicks playoff schedule is going to be a gauntlet regardless of who they play. The real advantage of being a top-two seed isn't just the opponent; it's the home-court advantage. Historically, the Knicks are significantly better at home. This year, they’re 16-4 at Madison Square Garden. You want as many games as possible in that environment.
Managing Expectations and Injuries
We have to talk about health. It's the elephant in the room. Mitchell Robinson has been a force on the glass, but we know his injury history. The same goes for OG. The reason this year feels different is the bench. Having guys like Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride coming off the pine means Brunson doesn't have to play 48 minutes every single night just to keep the team afloat.
If the Knicks are healthy by April 18, there isn't a team in the East they can't beat in a seven-game series. Honestly.
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How to Follow the Schedule and Get Tickets
Tickets for the ny knicks playoff schedule are going to be expensive. Like, "sell a kidney" expensive. The presale for season ticket holders usually happens in late March, with public sales opening up right after the seed is clinced.
If you aren't trying to drop a month's rent on a seat in the 200 section, you'll be watching on TV. Most of the early games will be on MSG Network or TNT, while the later rounds migrate over to ESPN and ABC.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the standings during the final week of the season. The gap between the 2nd and 4th seed is razor-thin right now. One bad West Coast road trip in March could change the entire look of the bracket.
Your next steps for the playoff push:
- Sync your digital calendar: Add the NBA's key postseason dates (April 18, May 5, June 4) so you don't accidentally book a wedding or a dentist appointment during Game 1.
- Watch the March 17 game vs. Indiana: This will be a massive "statement game" for seeding that will likely determine the tiebreaker for home-court advantage.
- Monitor the injury report: Follow beat writers like Ian Begley for real-time updates on Mitchell Robinson’s and Karl-Anthony Towns' availability as we approach the April 12 finale.