The Eastern Conference of the NBA has rarely looked so wide open—or so ripe for a changing of the guard. As the 2025-26 season tips off, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks have emerged as the clear front-runners, buoyed by a perfect storm of rising talent, strategic roster moves, and, perhaps most critically, the unfortunate injuries to key rivals. With the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton and the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum both sidelined for most or all of the campaign due to Achilles injuries, the balance of power in the East has shifted dramatically, setting the stage for a season of high drama and opportunity.
Expectations for the Knicks have never been higher. In a twist that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Pacers legend and longtime Knicks nemesis Reggie Miller has thrown his support behind New York, declaring, “If the Knicks cannot get out of the Eastern Conference this year, something is wrong!” as reported by NBC New York. Miller’s comments echo the sentiment sweeping through the league: the Knicks, after falling to the Pacers in six games in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, are under immense pressure to finally break through and reach their first NBA Finals since 1999.
But they aren’t alone in their quest for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off a 64-win season, enter as the betting favorites to win the East with +220 odds, according to the latest sportsbook lines. Despite a disappointing second-round exit last postseason at the hands of the Pacers, the Cavs’ core remains intact, and the team is hungry to claim its first conference championship without LeBron James at the helm. Under head coach Kenny Atkinson, now in his second year, Cleveland is banking on learned playoff lessons and a healthy roster to propel them to the next level.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are entering a new era under head coach Mike Brown. Brown, a four-time NBA champion and two-time Coach of the Year, brings a wealth of experience from his time with LeBron James in Cleveland, the Golden State Warriors dynasty, and most recently, his award-winning stint with the Sacramento Kings. For Brown, the Knicks’ current roster might be the most talented he has ever led. After the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau following last season’s playoff heartbreak—cited for questionable late-game decisions—the franchise is betting that Brown’s steady hand and tactical acumen will be the missing ingredient.
On the court, the Knicks boast one of the league’s most formidable lineups. Jalen Brunson, fresh off a Clutch Player of the Year award in 2025, anchors the backcourt with his elite playmaking and knack for getting to the free-throw line. Though some critics point out his penchant for flopping, few can deny Brunson’s late-game heroics and leadership. Alongside him is Karl-Anthony Towns, widely regarded as one of the best offensive big men in the NBA and, by some accounts, the greatest shooting center in league history. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor—shooting 40% from three—gives the Knicks a potent inside-out attack, though his defense remains a work in progress.
Supporting the stars are a cast of versatile and gritty contributors. OG Anunoby, one of the NBA’s premier on-ball defenders, is poised for a breakout year if he can stay healthy. Josh Hart, the ultimate utility man, ranks fourth all-time in triple-doubles for the Knicks despite his size and is expected to thrive as the team’s sixth man. Defensive stalwarts Miles Bridges and Mitchell Robinson round out a group that compensates for any defensive shortcomings from Brunson and Towns.
As for the competition, the Cavaliers are not to be underestimated. After learning some hard playoff lessons last year, Cleveland is running it back with a deep and talented roster. The only early setback is the absence of Darius Garland to start the season, but with Evan Mobley expected to take another step forward offensively, optimism is high. The Cavaliers’ blend of defense and balanced scoring has analysts projecting them as the team most likely to capitalize on the East’s weakened landscape.
Yet, not everyone is convinced the conference is a two-horse race. The Orlando Magic, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, have made significant offseason moves, adding Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones to address shooting and playmaking needs. While the Magic are widely seen as a team on the rise, they’ll need to prove themselves in the playoff crucible before joining the elite. The Atlanta Hawks, too, have made bold moves, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and several key role players. However, questions about health and chemistry linger, making their ascent anything but guaranteed.
Elsewhere in the East, traditional powers face uncertainty. The Milwaukee Bucks, despite boasting Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly acquired Myles Turner, are viewed as lacking the depth to contend for the title. The Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers both have potential but face skepticism due to injuries and roster questions—Joel Embiid will start the season on a minutes limit, and the Sixers are missing Paul George and Jared McCain. Miami, Boston, and Indiana are all expected to struggle, with the latter two suffering from the loss of their franchise stars. The bottom of the conference, meanwhile, is seen as a battleground for development rather than contention, with teams like the Wizards, Hornets, and Nets focused on the future.
Despite the narrative of a “weaker” East, some analysts warn against underestimating the conference. Two years ago, the Celtics stormed to a championship, and last season the Pacers pushed the Thunder to a dramatic seven-game NBA Finals. Still, the consensus is clear: the road to the Finals runs through Cleveland and New York.
Predictions, of course, are just that—predictions. Some experts are already penciling in a Cavaliers-Knicks showdown in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the winner likely to face a juggernaut from the West, be it the defending champion Denver Nuggets or the Oklahoma City Thunder. As one preview put it, “It doesn’t really matter if it’s the Cavs or Knicks. Denver and Oklahoma City—whichever team comes out of the West—are just better than anyone in the East.”
For now, though, all eyes are on the East. Will the Knicks finally end their Finals drought, or will the Cavaliers reclaim their spot atop the conference without King James? Or could a dark horse like Orlando or Atlanta crash the party? With the season just getting underway, the only certainty is that the race for Eastern Conference supremacy is wide open—and the pressure has never been higher.
