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The New York Knicks pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday. Trailing by 22 points with just over eight minutes remaining, the Knicks orchestrated a remarkable 44-11 run to secure the victory at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson was the catalyst for New York's resurgence, scoring 38 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. Brunson relentlessly attacked James Harden on defense, sparking an 18-1 run that brought the Knicks back into contention. He tied the game at 101-all with a basket just 19 seconds before the end of regulation. ESPN reports that Brunson was instrumental in exploiting the Cavaliers' defensive strategy, which initially targeted him.
The Knicks, who had not played since their second-round sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on May 10, appeared rusty for much of the game. However, they found their rhythm just in time. According to the New Haven Register, New York's defense, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, played a crucial role in the comeback, holding the Cavaliers to just 11 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell with 29 points, seemed poised for victory after building a significant lead. However, their late collapse allowed the Knicks to seize the momentum. Cleveland's coach, Kenny Atkinson, acknowledged the team's struggles in the final quarter, stating, "We played great basketball tonight for three quarters. Unfortunately, the fourth quarter—they dominated us."
With this victory, the Knicks are now three wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Game Two of the best-of-seven series is set to take place at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
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