Cavaliers Secure Home-Court Advantage for Playoffs

Dennis Schroder highlights the importance of having home-court edge in first round

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:57am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or playoff action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the energy and intensity of the game.The Cavaliers' home-court advantage could provide a crucial edge as they prepare for the playoffs.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched a playoff berth and will have home-court advantage in the first round, despite still having a chance to move up to the third seed held by the New York Knicks. It's been a tough season for the Cavs, but they're focused on capitalizing on the home-court edge as they prepare for the postseason.

Why it matters

Home-court advantage can provide a significant boost for teams in the NBA playoffs, with the home crowd energizing the players and making it more difficult for the visiting team. This is especially important for the Cavaliers, who have faced challenges this season and will look to feed off their home fans in the opening round.

The details

The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot and will have home-court advantage in the first round, meaning they will host the first two games of their series at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. While they can still catch the third-seeded New York Knicks, they are assured of not dropping to the fifth seed.

  • The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff berth for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

The players

Dennis Schroder

A veteran point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who has emphasized the importance of home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers

An NBA team based in Cleveland, Ohio that has clinched a playoff spot and home-court advantage in the first round of the 2026 postseason.

New York Knicks

An NBA team based in New York City that currently holds the third seed in the Eastern Conference, which the Cavaliers are still chasing.

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What they’re saying

“Especially with Cavs fans, I think it's very important that we have the home crowd advantage. It's going to help us in the first round. We just got to focus, finishing those games, and be ready.”

— Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers Point Guard

What’s next

The Cavaliers will continue to pursue the third seed held by the Knicks in the final games of the regular season, but they are assured of having home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs regardless of their final seeding.

The takeaway

Home-court advantage can provide a significant boost for teams in the NBA playoffs, and the Cavaliers will look to capitalize on their home-court edge as they prepare for the postseason after a challenging regular season.