Knicks Rally From 22 Down Behind Brunson to Stun Cavaliers in Game 1

The New York Knicks delivered one of the most memorable playoff comebacks in recent NBA history Tuesday night, storming back from a massive second-half deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime at Madison Square Garden. Led by another standout performance from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks seized control late and stole home-court momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals opener.

For much of the night, Cleveland appeared firmly in command. The Cavaliers built a 22-point lead midway through the fourth quarter after dominating stretches of the second and third periods. Their defensive pressure and efficient offense kept New York struggling to find rhythm, especially from beyond the arc.

The Knicks, however, refused to fold in front of their home crowd. Brunson relentlessly attacked the defense, while timely contributions from role players sparked a turnaround that gradually shifted the energy inside Madison Square Garden. What once looked like a comfortable Cleveland victory quickly turned into a tense battle down the stretch.

By the time overtime began, momentum had completely flipped. New York overwhelmed the Cavaliers in the extra period and completed a remarkable 44-11 run over the final minutes of regulation and overtime, giving the Knicks a stunning victory and an early series advantage.

1. Cavaliers Control Early Pace

New York opened the game with strong defensive intensity, holding Cleveland to only 16 points in the first quarter. Despite that early defensive success, the Knicks struggled badly on offense and failed to capitalize. Missed outside shots prevented them from building separation while the Cavaliers slowly settled into the game. The Knicks’ shooting woes became the biggest issue during the first half. New York connected on only two of its 19 attempts from three-point range before halftime, allowing Cleveland to remain within striking distance despite the slow opening quarter. The offensive inconsistency limited Brunson’s supporting cast and created transition opportunities for the Cavaliers. Cleveland took advantage in the second quarter and continued applying pressure after halftime. Donovan Mitchell led the charge offensively, repeatedly attacking the paint while also creating turnovers on the defensive end. The Cavaliers began finding easier scoring opportunities as New York’s offense stalled. The third quarter became the turning point in Cleveland’s favor. The Cavaliers outscored the Knicks 35-23 in the period, stretching the lead to more than 20 points. With eight minutes remaining in regulation, Cleveland appeared fully in control with a commanding 22-point advantage and the Madison Square Garden crowd growing quiet.

2. Brunson Sparks Historic Turnaround

Even with the game slipping away, Brunson continued attacking aggressively. The Knicks guard consistently pressured Cleveland’s defense, drawing fouls, creating space in the midrange, and keeping New York within reach during critical possessions. His confidence never wavered despite the large deficit. Brunson finished with 38 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals in another signature postseason performance. Time after time, he delivered timely baskets that energized both teammates and the home crowd. His leadership became the foundation of the comeback as the Knicks slowly chipped away at Cleveland’s lead. New York also received an important lift from Landry Shamet off the bench. The veteran guard provided instant offense, knocking down all three of his attempts from beyond the arc in just 17 minutes of action. His shooting helped stretch Cleveland’s defense and opened driving lanes for Brunson late in regulation. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a steady all-around performance as well, finishing with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. While Brunson carried much of the scoring load, Towns helped stabilize the Knicks with key rebounds and ball movement as New York’s offense finally began flowing in the closing minutes.

3. Cavaliers Collapse in Crunch Time

As the Knicks surged, the Cavaliers struggled to respond offensively. Cleveland’s ball movement slowed considerably late in the fourth quarter, and the team failed to generate quality looks during several critical possessions. What had once been a comfortable lead quickly disappeared under mounting pressure. Mitchell finished with 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, and six steals, but his impact faded during the closing stretch. After carrying much of the offensive burden earlier in the game, the All-Star guard was unable to halt New York’s momentum late in regulation and overtime. The Knicks’ comeback entered the record books as one of the largest fourth-quarter rallies in NBA postseason history. Only the Los Angeles Lakers’ 24-point comeback against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012 surpassed the deficit New York erased Tuesday night. The dramatic turnaround added another memorable chapter to the franchise’s postseason history. Now the pressure shifts squarely onto Cleveland heading into Game 2 on Thursday. The Cavaliers will need to regroup quickly after letting a dominant position slip away, while the Knicks will try to carry their momentum forward as they look to take a commanding series lead before the matchup moves to Cleveland.