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The Cleveland Cavaliers are not chasing respect anymore. They earned it last season by finishing with the best record in the East and piling up 64 wins. They enter this season as the hunted, not the hunters, with every team giving them their best shot.
National TV wants in on the action too, with the Cavs featured 24 times, including Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchups. If you want to know when Cleveland’s season-defining moments will happen, circle these 10 games now.
Oct 22 at New YorkThe season opener on ESPN in Madison Square Garden. Nothing says spotlight like starting the year under the lights in New York.
Oct 26 vs MilwaukeeThe home opener at Rocket Arena against Giannis and the Bucks. A clash of heavyweights to set the tone in front of a packed house.
Oct 31 vs TorontoA Halloween showdown and Cleveland’s first Emirates NBA Cup game. Expect playoff-type intensity right out of the gate.
Nov 19 vs HoustonKevin Durant and the new-look Rockets come to Cleveland. Durant vs Mitchell is a duel fans won’t want to miss.
Dec 25 at New YorkThe Cavs return to Christmas Day action for the first time since 2017. A national showcase against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden will feel like playoff basketball in December.
Jan 19 vs Oklahoma CityA special MLK Day matinee against the defending champion Thunder. Two of the NBA’s top teams going head-to-head with national eyes watching.
Jan 28 vs Los Angeles LakersLeBron James comes home again. Every visit feels special, and with the Lakers trying to make one last push, this will be a can’t-miss event.
Feb 24 vs New YorkThe Knicks come to Cleveland in a late-winter showdown. Playoff seeding will be on the line, and Rocket Arena will be buzzing.
March 8 vs BostonSunday matinee on ABC against the Celtics. Boston still carries plenty of pride, and these franchises have history. This is another chance for Cleveland to flex their strength on national TV.
April 2 at Golden StateCleveland vs Golden State always stirs memories of the Finals. This late-season road trip will test the Cavs’ focus as they sharpen for the playoffs.
MORE: Top 10 Houston Rockets games you can’t miss in 2025-26
The Cavaliers are not just a team on the rise anymore; they are the standard in the East. Last season’s 64 wins proved their depth, talent, and consistency. Now the challenge is even bigger, defending that spot and proving they are built for June, not just the regular season. These 10 games will tell us a lot about whether the Cavs can turn dominance into a championship run.
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