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Recap: Knicks win with miraculous 22-point comeback

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Jalen Brunson and the Knicks rallied to defeat the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Tuesday’s action.

Jalen Brunson (38 pts) led the Knicks on a 44-11 comeback in the last 7:40 of the fourth quarter and overtime, lifting them over the Cavaliers 115-104.

The Cavs were up 93-71 with 7:52 remaining, but shot 22 percent over the rest of the game as the Knicks rallied.

What we know about Tuesday’s game:

  • Postgame Presser: Cavaliers-Knicks
  • This series will resume Thursday at 8 ET on ESPN.
  • The team that wins Game 1 of the Conference Finals has gone on to win the series 78.2% of the time in NBA history.

MAY 19, 2026 / 11:30 ET

One time for Jalen Brunson

MAY 19, 2026 / 11:14 ET

Postgame Presser: Cavaliers-Knicks

MAY 19, 2026 / 11:00 ET

Knicks win Game 1

“The fans dancing with joy. They have watched one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history,” said Mike Breen. “Knicks take Game 1 behind the brilliance of Jalen Brunson.”

The Knicks outscored the Cavs 44-11 in the last 7:40 of the fourth quarter and overtime, earning a 115-104 comeback win to defend Madison Square Garden.

“Find a way,” said Brunson (38 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl). “We got some stops, kept fighting, kept believing. We just kept chipping away.”

Donovan Mitchell (29 pts) led the Cavs in scoring, but he put his last bucket in with 8:19 to go in the fourth quarter. Evan Mobley (15 pts, 14 reb, 3 blk) contributed to the Cleveland effort.

This is the first time in NBA history that both Game 1s of the Conference Finals have gone to overtime.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:50 ET

Shamet tosses a dagger

Brunson finds Landry Shamet (9 pts) for a 3-pointer, lifting the Knicks to a 110-101 lead with 1:49 to go.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:48 ET

Brunson on the attack

Jalen Brunson (38 pts) keeps driving at James Harden, and the Knicks keep finding space.

107-101 with 2:56 remaining in overtime.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:42 ET

Overtime in New York

What just happened?

James Harden (15 pts) knocked down a jumper in the lane, followed by a layup from Jalen Brunson (36 pts) to knot it at 101. Sam Merrill had a look to take it for the Cavs, but it was no good.

The Knicks were down by 22 with 7:40 to go — doesn’t matter now.

For the second straight night, we’re headed to overtime in the Conference Finals.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:40 ET

Bedlam in MSG

Landry Shamet’s 3-pointer bounced all around the rim and fell through, tying the game at 99 with 44 seconds remaining.

They’re jumping up-and-down in the stands at Madison Square Garden!

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:37 ET

Knicks have it to four

97-93 with 2:08 remaining, as Mikal Bridges (15 pts) knocks down a 3-pointer to prompt an eruption from the crowd.

The Cavaliers are 3-of-11 from the field in the period, while the Knicks are 10-of-18.

Can the Knicks get over the hump? Tune in to ESPN to find out.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:31 ET

Knicks on a 15-1 run

94-86 Cavaliers with 4:31 to go, as the Knicks battle back behind Jalen Brunson (31 pts on 25 shots).

They’re attacking James Harden in the half court, freeing up the Knicks’ captain.

“And the Garden has come alive!” Mike Breen said. “The Brunson burner has been lit!”

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:22 ET

Knicks find a little life

93-76 Cleveland with 6:41 remaining, as Landry Shamet hits a 3-pointer to give the Knicks a bit of hope.

It’s been a tough night for OG Anunoby (3 pts on 5 shots) and Miles McBride (0 pts on 1 shot), while Karl-Anthony Towns (11 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 6 turnovers) and Jalen Brunson (23 pts on 21 shots) have ground their way to competence for the Knicks’ offense.

If they’re going to rally, someone’s going to have to step up in front of this Garden crowd.

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:08 ET

Cavaliers up 83-69 after three

Donovan Mitchell (26 pts on 17 shots) has it going, as Cleveland takes its largest lead of the game into the fourth quarter.

The Cavs won the turnover battle in the third 5-3; the Knicks are still struggling from long range, going 4-for-23 (17.4%) from 3-point range.

New York’s shooting just hasn’t stabilized in this game — only Mikal Bridges (12 pts on 5-for-7 shooting) is having an above-average night.

“We’re missing some good shots,” said Josh Hart. “The way to combat that is to get some stops defensively, play fast.”

MAY 19, 2026 / 10:00 ET

Mitch Rob at the line

The Cavaliers turned to intentionally fouling Mitchell Robinson, who went 2-for-8 from the line, in the last few minutes. Robinson’s a career 50.8% free throw shooter.

Kenny Atkinson’s strategy helped his team take control in this third period, as the Cavaliers opened up an 83-68 lead with 11.9 remaining in the quarter.

MAY 19, 2026 / 9:53 ET

Cavs keep going

The Cavs have the Knicks scrambling, taking a 74-63 lead with 3:18 remaining in the third.

Sam Merrill has opened things up for Cleveland, while James Harden (9 pts) and Jarrett Allen (8 pts) are finding space in the lane.

“They’re carving them with dribble penetration,” said Tim Legler. “Knicks having a very difficult time with containment.”

MAY 19, 2026 / 9:40 ET

Cavs take largest lead

63-54 with 7:08 to go in the third quarter, as Donovan Mitchell (22 pts, 6 stl) gets a steal and goes coast-to-coast for a layup.

The Knicks were harassing the Cavs early, but they’ve found their flow on the road. They’re gashing them with easy buckets to start the quarter.

MAY 19, 2026 / 9:15 ET

Cavaliers up 48-46 at the half

Donovan Mitchell (16 pts on 9 shots) scored seven points in the last 2:01 as part of a 21-8 run that earned the Cavs a lead at the break.

The Knicks have a 32-16 lead in points in the paint and an 11-7 turnover advantage, but the Cavaliers found their touch from 3-point range, hitting 8-for-21 (38.1%).

Jalen Brunson (14 pts) leads the way for the Knicks, who are 2-for-19 (10.5%) from 3-point range.

MAY 19, 2026 / 9:00 ET

Cavaliers on an 8-0 run

38-35 Knicks with 4:25 to go in the second quarter, as Sam Merrill (6 pts) and James Harden (7 pts) hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland may be settling in on the road here.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:48 ET

Hart on the attack

Josh Hart (6 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) has given the Knicks a spark so far, as they take a 31-22 lead with 8:23 remaining in the half.

Former Cavalier Jordan Clarkson also gave New York a boost, making his first 3-pointer of the Playoffs and earning a team-high +12 mark.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:41 ET

Knicks up 23-16 after one

Jalen Brunson (10 pts) is getting buckets early, while the Knicks defense held the Cavs to 27.3% shooting in the first quarter.

Donovan Mitchell (7 pts) was slowed by Miles McBride, who derailed his momentum in the latter half of the period after subbing in.

New York’s picked up an early 14-8 advantage in points in the paint.

“The Cavaliers look rusty after a Game 7, but it’s the Knicks’ defense that’s pressuring them,” said Richard Jefferson.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:37 ET

New York hustle

The Knicks are on a 12-0 run, taking a 20-13 lead with 1:35 to go in the quarter.

Cleveland has five turnovers so far, as New York’s pressuring defense makes an impact..

“If you’re a Cavs fan, this is somewhat characteristic of their postseason,” said Richard Jefferson.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:31 ET

Knicks rally back

14-13 New York with 3:46 to go in the first quarter. Jalen Brunson (8 pts) has gotten loose for the Knicks, sparking the comeback.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:25 ET

Cavaliers up to begin

10-4 Cleveland with 6:42 to go in the first quarter, as the Cavs’ defense controls the early minutes.

Donovan Mitchell (7 pts) is out of the gates quickly.

MAY 19, 2026 / 8:15 ET

Early reads

James Harden starts the game on Jalen Brunson, while Mikal Bridges starts the game on Harden. On the second possession, Hart picks up Harden, and Dean Wade checks Brunson.

Both of these teams are flexible defensively — keep an eye on the matchups.

MAY 19, 2026 / 7:15 ET

Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN.

Cleveland:

  • PG James Harden
    • Can Harden find a way to attack the Knicks in the paint? OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges all have the size to slow him, but Karl-Anthony Towns is a limited rim protector.
  • SG Donovan Mitchell
    • The New York native is in the spotlight, coming off one of the best games of his career in Game 7 against the Pistons. He’s averaging 25.6 ppg in this Playoffs — just under his career average against the Knicks (25.7 ppg).
  • SF Max Strus
    • Strus was crucial for the Cavaliers as they defeated the Pistons. His shooting and size are unique among their wing options.
  • PF Evan Mobley
    • Mobley held Karl-Anthony Towns to 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting this season.
  • C Jarrett Allen
    • Will Allen be able to roam off Josh Hart? If he can float in the paint, he’ll have a chance to disrupt the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll.

New York:

  • PG Jalen Brunson
    • Brunson has been at his best in this Playoff run, averaging 27.0 ppg on 48.5/40.9/86.1 shooting. Who will guard him for the Cavs?
  • SG Josh Hart
    • Hart was a net-negative in each of the Knicks’ games against the Cavs this season. This might be a series for Miles McBride to chase Donovan Mitchell.
  • SF Mikal Bridges
    • Will Bridges get on the glass in this series? His length might be necessary against the Cavs’ front court of Mobley and Allen.
  • PF OG Anunoby
    • Will OG or Mobley win the battle of the power forwards? OG is 8-6 career against Mobley, averaging 15.3 ppg to Evan’s 15.4 ppg in those games.
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns
    • Towns maxed out at two assists against the Cavs this season, but is averaging 6.6 so far in this Playoff run. Will the KAT’s vision remain sharp in this series?

MAY 19, 2026 / 7:00 ET

Tuesday’s injury report

OG Anunoby is probable for the Knicks, while Larry Nance Jr. is questionable for the Cavaliers.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s contest against the Thunder.

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