In Game 1, Jalen Brunson scored 38 points and the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104.
Published May 20, 2026
In Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks, powered by Jalen Brunson’s 38 points, overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime.
The Knicks looked like it was over on Tuesday when they trailed 93-71 with 7:52 left in regulation time, but Brunson led on an 18-1 run and banked in a floater to tie the score at 101-101 with 19.3 seconds left in regulation time.
Cleveland’s Sam Merrill missed a 3-point shot, sending the game into overtime, where the Knicks scored the first nine points.
Brunson admitted he doesn’t know how the Knicks pulled off their sensational comeback.
“I don’t have an answer,” he told broadcaster ESPN.
“We made some stops. We kept fighting, kept believing, kept chipping away. They were playing great basketball, but we just found a way.”
Mikal Bridges added 18 points and OG Anunoby, who returned from a two-game injury absence, was one of three Knicks players with 13 points.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, and James Harden added 15 points.
The Knicks host Game 2 on Thursday and have a chance to double their lead in the best-of-seven series.
The winner of the series will face either the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the Championship Series.
Buoyed by Victor Wembaneyama’s 41 points, the Spurs defeated the Thunder in double overtime in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
This is the first time in NBA history that the first game of both conference finals will be decided in overtime.
