If you’re staring at your calendar wondering when do the cavaliers play, you aren’t alone. The 2025-26 NBA season has reached that chaotic mid-January stretch where the "Wine and Gold" are basically living out of suitcases. Honestly, the schedule right now is a bit of a gauntlet. Between national TV flexes and the usual Eastern Conference grind, keeping track of tip-off times feels like a full-time job.
Cleveland is currently sitting at 22-19. They're seventh in the East, which is... okay? Not where they wanted to be after that massive 64-win run last year, but injuries have been a total pain. If you're looking for the immediate answer, the Cavs are heading to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
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It’s a 7:00 PM ET tip. You can catch it on ESPN if you're out of market, or FanDuel Sports Network Ohio if you're local.
The Immediate Outlook: When Do the Cavaliers Play Next?
The back half of January is heavy on the road. After they wrap up that first game in Philly, they actually stay there for a weird "baseball-style" set. It's a quirk of the modern NBA schedule meant to reduce travel miles, but it’s still grueling for the players.
Here is the breakdown for the rest of the month. Don't blink, because the times jump around quite a bit:
- Wednesday, Jan 14 @ Philadelphia 76ers: 7:00 PM ET (National TV: ESPN)
- Friday, Jan 16 @ Philadelphia 76ers: 7:00 PM ET
- Monday, Jan 19 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 2:30 PM ET (MLK Day Special on NBC/Peacock)
- Wednesday, Jan 21 @ Charlotte Hornets: 7:00 PM ET (National TV: ESPN)
- Friday, Jan 23 vs. Sacramento Kings: 7:30 PM ET
- Saturday, Jan 24 @ Orlando Magic: 7:00 PM ET
- Monday, Jan 26 vs. Orlando Magic: 7:00 PM ET (Stream: Peacock Exclusive)
- Wednesday, Jan 28 vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 7:00 PM ET (National TV: ESPN)
That MLK Day game against OKC is a big one. It's an afternoon tip at Rocket Arena, and honestly, those early starts always feel a little "off" for the players' routines. But for fans, it's a great chance to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren without staying up until midnight.
Why the Injury Report Changes Everything
You can't just look at the date and time. You have to look at who is actually boarding the plane. Darius Garland has been dealing with a right hand contusion lately. He missed some time in early January, and while he’s been trying to play through it, his status is usually a "game-time decision."
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Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs' first-year head coach, has been pretty cautious. He’s balancing the need to stack wins with the reality that a 26-year-old franchise PG needs his hands to, you know, shoot the ball.
Then there’s the Max Strus situation. He’s been out following foot surgery and isn't expected back until at least mid-February. Without him, the spacing is kinda cramped. You see guys like Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill getting way more minutes than anyone expected back in October. It changes how the team plays, which in turn changes how much you might actually want to tune in on a random Tuesday night.
Watching the Cavs in 2026: It's Complicated
Where the game is broadcast depends entirely on the day of the week. This season, the Cavs have 29 national TV appearances. That’s a lot. It’s a sign that the league still views Donovan Mitchell as a Tier-1 draw, even if the team's record is hovering around .500.
If it’s a Wednesday, check ESPN. If it's a Monday or Tuesday, it might be on NBC or Peacock. This is part of the new media rights deal that kicked in, and yeah, it's confusing for everyone. Locally, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (formerly Bally Sports) still carries the bulk of the games.
One thing most people get wrong is assuming every "National" game is on cable. Five of the Cavs' games this month are Peacock exclusives. You won't find those on your standard cable box. You need the app.
The February Road Trip from Hell
If you’re planning ahead, keep an eye on the transition from January into February. The Cavs start a five-game road stretch on January 30th that takes them through Phoenix, Portland, Los Angeles (Clippers), Sacramento, and Denver.
That is a lot of time zones.
- Jan 30 @ Phoenix Suns: 7:00 PM local (9:00 PM ET)
- Feb 1 @ Portland Trail Blazers: 6:00 PM local
- Feb 4 @ LA Clippers: 7:30 PM local (Intuit Dome)
- Feb 7 @ Sacramento Kings: 7:00 PM local
- Feb 9 @ Denver Nuggets: 7:00 PM local
By the time they get back to Cleveland for the February 11th game against Washington, they’ll be exhausted. If you're a betting person, those "return from a long road trip" games are notoriously trap games.
What to Watch For
When you're checking when do the cavaliers play, keep an eye on the matchup dynamics. Evan Mobley has been playing like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, averaging nearly 2 blocks and a steal per game. His pairing with Jarrett Allen remains the "Twin Towers" anchor of the team.
However, the offense is still the Mitchell show. He's averaging 29.5 points per game. When he’s on, the Cavs can beat anyone—including the Celtics or the Knicks. When he’s cold, or if he's resting on the second night of a back-to-back, things get dicey.
Speaking of back-to-backs, the Cavs have 14 of them this season. We just had one between Orlando and Sacramento. These are the games where "Load Management" becomes a dirty word in the stands but a necessity in the training room.
Actionable Steps for Cavs Fans
If you want to stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, do these three things:
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- Sync your digital calendar: Go to the official Cavs website and use the "Sync to Calendar" feature. It updates automatically if the NBA flexes a game time for TV.
- Check the 1:30 PM Injury Report: The NBA mandates that teams update their injury status by mid-afternoon on game days. Don't buy tickets to see Donovan Mitchell until you've checked the report at 2:00 PM.
- Download the Peacock App: Specifically for the Jan 19 and Jan 26 games, you’ll need it. Don't wait until tip-off to realize you can't find the channel.
The season is a marathon, not a sprint. While the record isn't perfect right now, the talent is undeniable. Just make sure you know what time the ball drops so you don't miss the first quarter.
Next Steps: Verify your local listings for the Jan 14 game against Philly, as regional blackouts may apply even for ESPN broadcasts if you're within the 76ers' home territory. Check the official NBA app for the most recent "Last Two Minute" reports if you're tracking how the Cavs are performing in close games during this stretch.