Knicks erase 22-point deficit with 44-11 closing run, stupefy Cavs 115-104 in OT to take Game 1 [VIDEO]

Jalen Brunson Scores 38 as Knicks Complete Largest Fourth-Quarter Comeback in Conference Finals History

The New York Knicks trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-71 with 7:52 remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Madison Square Garden had gone quiet. The Cavaliers, who had outscored the Knicks 35-23 in the third quarter, looked poised for a comfortable road victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Then Jalen Brunson took over. The Knicks closed the game on a 44-11 run that spanned the final 7:40 of regulation and the full five-minute overtime period. New York erased a 22-point deficit, forced overtime, and secured a 115-104 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.

The comeback stands as the largest fourth-quarter deficit overcome in Conference Finals history in the play-by-play era and the largest playoff comeback in Knicks franchise history. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Three Quarters of Control by Cleveland But $1 Short of the Win

The Cavaliers entered Game 1 battle-tested from a hard-fought seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons, while the Knicks had enjoyed extended rest since sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers on May 10. Cleveland looked like the sharper team from the outset. After a competitive first quarter that ended with the Cavaliers leading 23-16, they outscored New York 32-23 in the second period to take a 48-46 halftime lead.

The third quarter belonged entirely to Cleveland. The Cavaliers outscored the Knicks 35-23 in the period, extending their advantage to 83-69 entering the fourth. Donovan Mitchell was everywhere — scoring efficiently and recording six steals on the defensive end. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen dominated the frontcourt, while Sam Merrill and Max Strus knocked down open three-pointers. The Knicks, meanwhile, struggled badly from beyond the arc, shooting just 2-of-19 from three-point range in the first half.

Early in the fourth quarter, Cleveland pushed its lead to the largest margin of the night. A basket with 7:52 remaining made it 93-71. The Garden crowd, which had been roaring at tip-off, fell silent. The series appeared to be slipping away before it had truly begun.

Jalen Brunson Ignites 18-1 Run to Spark the Comeback

Facing a seemingly insurmountable 22-point deficit, Jalen Brunson took control. He repeatedly attacked James Harden in the half-court, exploiting the matchup with relentless drives to the basket. Brunson scored 13 of the Knicks’ 21 fourth-quarter points during an 18-1 run that slashed Cleveland’s lead to 94-89 with 3:30 remaining.

The Garden crowd came alive with every basket. Landry Shamet hit a three-pointer during the surge, providing crucial spacing and secondary scoring. Mikal Bridges then knocked down a three-pointer to bring the score to 97-93 with 2:08 left. Cleveland responded briefly with an Evan Mobley three-pointer, pushing the lead back to 97-89, but the Knicks refused to fade.

Shamet delivered the biggest shot of the game. With New York trailing 99-96, he launched a three-pointer that caromed off the rim multiple times before dropping through the net with 44 seconds remaining, tying the game at 99-99. The building erupted. Brunson then converted a basket with 19 seconds left to tie it again at 101-101. A missed opportunity on Cleveland’s final possession sent the game to overtime.

New York Dominates Overtime from the Opening Tip

The Knicks carried their momentum into the extra period. New York opened overtime with a 9-0 run that effectively sealed the outcome. Brunson knocked down a floater, and OG Anunoby — playing through a hamstring injury — converted free throws and added a layup. The Knicks led 107-101 before Cleveland could regain composure.

Shamet added another three-pointer to push the advantage to 110-101 with 1:49 remaining. Max Strus responded with a three-pointer for Cleveland after a timeout, cutting the lead to 110-104 with 1:45 left, but the Cavaliers would not score again. New York closed out the period with the same defensive intensity and offensive execution that had fueled the entire comeback.

The final tally of the closing stretch was staggering: New York 44, Cleveland 11. Over the final 7:40 of regulation and the full five-minute overtime, the Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 44-11 while holding them to approximately 22 percent shooting from the field.

Brunson Finishes with 38 Points as Knicks Seize Control of the Series

Jalen Brunson delivered a game-high 38 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. He added six assists, five rebounds, and three steals in 46 minutes, relentlessly attacking the paint and refusing to let the Knicks lose. His performance immediately drew comparisons to some of the greatest playoff comebacks in franchise history.

Mikal Bridges contributed 15 points, Landry Shamet added nine points on three critical three-pointers, and OG Anunoby provided valuable late impact in his return from a hamstring injury. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. As a team, the Knicks shot 48.8 percent from the field and dominated the paint 60-38.

On the other side, Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 29 points and six steals but was held scoreless in overtime. Evan Mobley posted 15 points and 14 rebounds, while James Harden scored 15 points but struggled with efficiency and turnovers in the second half. The Cavaliers shot just 40.2 percent from the field overall and appeared to run out of gas late after their grueling seven-game series against Detroit.

“Championship Character?” Fans React to the Historic Comeback

The X post announcing the final score generated widespread excitement, with users praising Brunson’s leadership and the Knicks’ resilience. Reactions described the team as having “championship character” and called the comeback “historic.” Knicks fans framed the win as a sign that this team might be destined for something special.

Cleveland fans expressed frustration with the collapse. Observers noted that the Cavaliers “melted down” and criticized Mitchell and Harden for their late-game execution. Some called the loss a “generational collapse.” The discourse focused on Cleveland’s inability to close out a game they had controlled for three and a half quarters.

Viral clips of the final minutes circulated rapidly, with users focusing on Shamet’s game-tying three-pointer that bounced on the rim multiple times before falling. The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was cited by many as a factor in the comeback, with the crowd fueling the Knicks’ surge as the deficit shrank.

Game 2 Set for Thursday at Madison Square Garden

The Knicks now lead the Eastern Conference Finals 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. New York will have an opportunity to take a commanding 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.

The Cavaliers now face pressing questions: How did a 22-point lead evaporate? Why did their offense stall over the final 12 minutes? And can Donovan Mitchell and James Harden respond after being outplayed in the clutch? Cleveland had shown resilience throughout the playoffs, winning three elimination games against Detroit. But this loss carried a different weight — it was a collapse.

For the Knicks, the message is unmistakable: they can beat anyone when it matters most. On Monday night they proved it. Down 22 points. On the brink. Madison Square Garden gone quiet. Then Brunson took over. The crowd found its voice. The shots started falling. And the Cavaliers had no answer.

Game 2 is Thursday. The Knicks carry all the momentum. Cleveland has 48 hours to regroup. They ran into a team that simply refused to lose.

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