Cavaliers Face Blackout in Pivotal NBA Playoffs Game: What Fans Need to Know

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently in the midst of a tense NBA playoffs run. After taking a 3-2 lead in the first round of the 2024 playoffs with a thrilling 104-103 win against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, the Cavaliers are now on the brink of securing a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a win in Game 6 on Friday. The victory was thanks in part to a game-sealing block by Evan Mobley.

However, things took an unexpected turn for local Cavaliers fans and Comcast users as Diamond Sports Group, which operates all 18 Bally Sports regional channels, failed to reach a carrier agreement with Comcast before a deadline. As a result, Bally Sports Ohio and all other Bally regional networks will be blacked out for Comcast customers.

In response to the blackout, Diamond Sports Group issued a statement expressing disappointment at Comcast’s decision to reject a proposed extension that would have kept Bally Sports channels on the air. They encouraged fans to contact Comcast directly and provided alternative viewing options, such as accessing Bally Sports channels via Fubo, DirecTV or DirecTV STREAM.

For fans looking to watch the Cavaliers’ playoff games during the Comcast blackout, they can tune in to DirectTV channel 660 or stream the games on Fubo (free trial) or NBATV (out of market). Bally Sports+ also provides a streaming service where local fans can catch both Cavaliers and Columbus Blue Jackets games.