Game two for some, game one for others, but the 76ers and Cavaliers arrive at this meeting with the same mission: to prove they are one of the leading teams in the East. Philadelphia already showed signs of their potential in New York, while Cleveland, one of the few teams yet to open their season, hope to start with a prestigious win that helps shake off the ghosts that have been lingering since last season’s playoffs.
Date and time of the 76ers vs Cavaliers
Date: 22 October 2026, early hours of the 23rd according to European time.
Time: These are the start times of the 76ers vs Cavaliers depending on the time zone.
| The UK, Ireland and Portugal | 00:00 |
| Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela | 19:00 |
| Mexico (central), USA (Texas and Chicago), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua | 18:00 |
| Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles) | 16:00 |
| Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay | 20:00 |
| Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama | 18:00 |
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
76ers vs Cavaliers starting lineups
Not many surprises are expected in the starting line-ups. The 76ers should repeat the five that won at Madison Square Garden, and Cleveland will start with their first-choice five unless Jarrett Allen, who is currently doubtful, fails to make it.
| 76ers | Cavaliers |
|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | James Harden |
| VJ Edgecombe | Donovan Mitchell |
| Jaylen Brown | Peyton Watson |
| LeBron James | Evan Mobley |
| Joel Embiid | Jarrett Allen |
76ers vs Cavaliers: best bet
Following their win in New York, confidence in these 76ers appears to have grown, while the Cavaliers have yet to prove they can rise to the occasion on the big nights. Between that and playing at home, Philadelphia start as favourites.
76ers latest news: injuries and form
The season could not have started better for Nick Nurse’s side. After months of speculation, of talk about how the pieces might fit together and whether a line-up like this really made sense, the 76ers began their campaign by toppling the reigning champions and showing that there are plenty of reasons to believe in this team. Even if it was only the opening night of the regular season, winning at Madison Square Garden forces you to see them in a new light.
Above all because, even so, it was not a particularly great performance from the Pennsylvania side. There were confused spells in which their stars never quite amplified one another, and overall they looked like a team that is still quite green. Nobody is surprised by that, but what may seem strange is that they managed to beat the Knicks at such an early stage of their construction. Because that shows that, indeed, the ceiling is in the clouds.
Player to watch: Joel Embiid
However many big names they have added, the feeling is that Philadelphia, as always, will depend on what Embiid can do. The Cameroonian gave the impression in New York of being the one who sacrificed the most among the big stars, giving up plenty on offence but being fundamental on defence, where he once again confirmed himself as the most irreplaceable figure in the squad. Will it work the same way tonight against the Cavs’ powerful interior game?
Cavaliers latest news: injuries and form
The 2026–27 season may be Cleveland’s last chance to earn the trust of their fans. For many, faith in this group faded long ago. For others, it disappeared when the Knicks overturned a 22-point deficit in Game 1 of the Conference Finals. From that moment, Cleveland appeared to throw in the towel, as though the remaining three games no longer mattered. But after the summer reinforcements, there is at least interest in seeing how they work.
The truth is that on paper the starting five is hard to improve upon, and on the bench there are several pieces with plenty to offer in the right context. If Atkinson finds the right rotation, this should be a squad always capable of having at least two or three players of the highest level on the floor. The problem is that, from what we have seen of several of those players, it is not clear that such a level will always manage to assert itself.
Player to watch: Peyton Watson
Watson arrives at the Cavs with the responsibility of being the piece that finally brings everything else together. He is expected to use his combination of physicality, defence and shooting to provide the qualities Cleveland have been missing and elevate his teammates. Is that too much responsibility for a player whose status in the league we are still establishing? It may be, but the Ohio side have played all their cards trusting that it is not. Which makes him, therefore, the man to keep an eye on at the start of this season.
76ers vs Cavaliers: head-to-head record
Cleveland have dominated this head-to-head in recent years with crushing superiority. Not least, the four meetings last season all ended in wins for the Ohio side, and overall the record stands at 7-1 in the last eight duels.
Predictions for the 76ers vs Cavaliers
25+ points for Jaylen Brown. The former Celtic struggled to shine in New York, but he will surely want to start by leaving a good taste in the mouth in his own arena.
10+ rebounds for Mobley. The Cavs’ big man may struggle to impose himself against an Embiid focused on the back half of the court.
Three blocks for Embiid. Likewise, if the Cameroonian remains focused on being the defensive anchor, he could reach at least three blocks, as he already did in New York.
Where to watch the 76ers vs Cavaliers
The game between Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers can be watched in the UK through a subscription to NBA League Pass and DAZN.