Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Knicks Game 1 – James Harden crumbles defensively

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers fumbled a prime opportunity to steal Game 1 on the road.

They crumbled at the end, blowing a 22-point lead in history fashion. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers. LOSER – Big Jim Harden James Harden just had perhaps the worst individual defensive performance in NBA Playoff history.

Seriously, it was historically bad. Harden was targeted eight times in isolation during the fourth quarter, something that has only happened 30 times in the history of the NBA’s tracking data (including regular-season games since 2013). Harden gave up more points per possession in those situations than anyone, ever.

Guarding 8 isolations in a single quarter is…something. It has happened only 30 times, Regular Season or Playoffs, in the entire Tracking Era. https://t.