Knicks complete the comeback! Jalen Brunson sparks wild Game 1 win
Behind a late surge from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks staged an improbable rally to win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers.
The magic carpet ride continues for the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Behind 38 points from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks pulled off their most dramatic victory this postseason with a 115-104 overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 19. It marked the largest comeback win in Knicks' postseason history.
The Knicks looked lifeless as they trailed for the entire second half, and even trailed by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter. Then, the home team and the Madison Square Garden crowd came alive. New York went on an 18-1 run to get back into the game, with Brunson scoring 11 straight as he took over the game on switches to James Harden.
He would finish with 15 points in the fourth quarter alone. In the span of just over four minutes, the lead shrank from 22 to five. The game then frenetically went back and forth in the final minutes, with Harden and Brunson trading buckets in the final minute.
The Cavs' Sam Merrill was close to winning it for Cleveland, but his three-point attempt spun out with two seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Knicks dominate Cavs in overtime for victory In the extra period, the Knicks jumped out to a 9-0 run thanks to a few Brunson buckets and a massive three from Landry Shamet. A steal from Mikal Bridges and a Harden turnover with under a minute remaining sealed the game.