The New York Knicks’ first playoff game of the 2026 NBA postseason is scheduled for April 19, 2026 , at Madison Square Garden.

Quick Scoop

  • The 2026 NBA Playoffs begin on April 19 , and that’s the date listed as Game 1 of the Knicks’ first-round series.
  • The Knicks are slated as the home team for that opener at Madison Square Garden.
  • Follow-up games in the series are planned for April 21 (Game 2 at home) and then April 24 and 26 on the road , though all dates are noted as subject to change by the league.

So if you’re planning around “when is the Knicks first playoff game,” circle April 19, 2026 on your calendar and expect it to be at MSG, with the exact tip-off time typically announced closer to the date by the NBA and broadcasters.

Note: Schedules can shift slightly due to TV and league adjustments, so it’s smart to double-check closer to mid-April via official NBA or Knicks channels.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.