Cavs blow 22-point lead in disasterous Game 1 loss to Knicks

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S.

Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Just when you think the Cleveland Cavaliers have finally put things together, they find a new way to disappoint you. After pushing their lead to 22 points at the start of the fourth quarter, they collapsed over the final eight minutes, as they allowed the New York Knicks to close the fourth on a 30-8 run to send the game to overtime. The Cavs’ free fall continued in the extra frames.

The Knicks dominated overtime 14-3 to come away with what somehow became a 115-104 victory in Game 1. Like their Christmas Day showcase, starting and finishing games in Madison Square Garden was an issue. Cleveland couldn’t establish any kind of offensive rhythm after opening up an early 10-4 lead after the first four minutes.

They scored just six points for the remainder of the quarter, as they went 2-12 from beyond the arc in the opening frame. Fortunately for them, the Knicks looked like a team that hadn’t played a game in over a week. They went 1-10 from three, but were able to scrounge together enough offense to take a seven-point lead after the first.