The grind of the NBA season is a weird thing. One night you’re watching Donovan Mitchell drop 40 and thinking the Cavs are unstoppable, and the next, they lose a head-scratcher to a team they should’ve handled. If you’re like me, you’ve probably got the schedule pulled up on your phone half the time just to see if there’s a game to build your evening around.
So, let's get right to it. If you are asking when does cleveland cavaliers play again, the answer is actually right around the corner.
The Immediate Slate: Philly and the Road Trip
The Cleveland Cavaliers hit the floor again on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This isn't just a random mid-week game; they’re heading into Philadelphia to take on the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET.
Honestly, this matchup has some spice to it. The Sixers have been playing solid ball, and with Tyrese Maxey scoring at a clip that rivals the league’s best, Mitchell and the Cavs' backcourt are going to have their hands full. After that, things don't get much easier. They stay in Philly for a rare "baseball-style" set, playing the 76ers again on Friday, January 16. That second game is actually a flex-in for ESPN, so the national eyes will be on them.
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Upcoming Games at a Glance
- January 14: @ Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 PM ET)
- January 16: @ Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 PM ET) – National TV: ESPN
- January 19: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 PM ET) – Home at Rocket Arena
- January 21: @ Charlotte Hornets (7:00 PM ET)
- January 23: vs. Sacramento Kings (7:30 PM ET) – Home at Rocket Arena
Why the MLK Day Game is the One to Watch
If you only pick one game to watch this month, make it the January 19th home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee with a 2:30 PM tip. Why does this matter? Well, for one, OKC is arguably the most exciting young team in the West.
You’ve got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going up against Mitchell, which is basically a masterclass in scoring. But the real "nerd" matchup I’m looking at is Evan Mobley vs. Chet Holmgren. They’re both these lanky, hyper-mobile bigs who represent the future of the league. It’s also one of those rare times the Cavs play in the afternoon, which always feels a bit different—sometimes the energy is electric, sometimes players are still waking up. We'll see.
Mid-Season Standings and the Kenny Atkinson Factor
Right now, the Cavs are sitting at 22-19. It’s fine. It’s not "best team in the league" territory, but they’re firmly in the playoff mix in a very top-heavy Eastern Conference.
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Coach Kenny Atkinson has definitely injected some offensive pace into this roster. Last season, things felt a bit stagnant at times. Now? They’re 4th in the league in points per game, averaging nearly 120 a night. The downside? The defense has slipped a bit. They’re giving up about 117 points per game, which is why we've seen so many high-scoring nail-biters lately.
Darius Garland has been the steady hand lately, even when the team has struggled. He led the way with 23 in that tough loss to the Jazz on Monday. You can see the chemistry growing between him and Jarrett Allen on those pick-and-rolls, but the bench depth is still a bit of a question mark as we head toward the trade deadline.
January 28th: The King Comes Home
Mark your calendars for January 28. The Los Angeles Lakers are coming to town.
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Look, we don't know how many more times LeBron James is going to play at Rocket Arena. Every time he returns to Cleveland, the atmosphere is different. Even though he’s in the twilight of his career, he’s still LeBron. The tickets for this one are already starting at roughly $149 on the secondary market—nearly ten times the price of the Hornets game a few days later.
Actionable Next Steps for Cavs Fans
If you’re planning on catching these games, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the Broadcast: Most games are on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (formerly Bally Sports), but the Jan 16th Philly game and the Jan 21st Charlotte game are national on ESPN.
- MLK Day Tickets: If you want to go to the OKC game on Jan 19th, buy them now. It’s a holiday game, and they usually sell out faster than typical Monday night matchups.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Max Strus and some of the rotation guys have been banged up. Always check the official NBA injury report about two hours before tip-off to see who is actually active.
Knowing when does cleveland cavaliers play again is only half the battle. Keeping up with the rotations and the defensive adjustments is what makes the season fun. The Cavs are in the thick of a tough January stretch, and these next five games will likely determine if they can push for a top-four seed or if they’ll be fighting in the Play-In tournament come April.