Friday, April 3

Cavaliers clinch berth in NBA playoffs with win at Warriors


File this under formality: The Cavaliers have clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs.

In a game beginning on April 2 but ending on April 3 Eastern time, the Cavs prevailed 118-111 on the road against the Golden State Warriors.

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The Cavs (48-29) joined the Detroit Pistons (56-21), Boston Celtics (51-25) and New York Knicks (49-28) as the Eastern Conference teams to secure playoff berths thus far.

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Cleveland Cavaliers highlights. The best images from each game of the 2025-26 season

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Donovan Mitchell #45 after making a three-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Who do the Cavs play in the first round of the playoffs?

The Cavs are in fourth place in the East and likely to finish there after playing their final five regular-season games. In case it becomes relevant, the third-place Knicks own the head-to-head tiebreaker (2-1 in the season series) against the Cavs. The top four teams are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round.

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The Cavs entered April 3 positioned to become the fourth seed and face the fifth-place Atlanta Hawks (44-33) in Round 1.

The top six teams in each conference at the end of regular season automatically qualify for the playoffs. The teams placing seventh through 10th compete in the Play-In Tournament for the final two playoff seeds.

Mar 30, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Mar 30, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The Play-In Tournament is slated to run from April 14-17. The playoffs are set to begin April 18.

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This is the fourth consecutive season in which the Cavs have made the playoffs.

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Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances:

  • 2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round

  • 2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round

  • 2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs clinch playoff spot with win over Warriors



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