The New York Knicks erased a 22-point deficit to force overtime and stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night.
Cleveland entered the ECF fresh off a Game 7 demolition of the Detroit Pistons and continued playing with the same aggressive energy into the opening quarters.
The Knicks Justify Carmelo Anthony’s Belief With a Historic Game 1 Comeback
The Cavaliers dominated early at Madison Square Garden, building a sizable advantage behind sharp shooting from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 29 points and grabbed 6 steals in 41 minutes of action.
Instead of folding, New York managed to mount a historic comeback.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson poured in 38 points to fuel the comeback and extend New York’s postseason winning streak.
THE ENDING OF REGULATION IN CAVS-KNICKS. ABSOLUTE MADNESS. pic.twitter.com/Synu1jsCY5
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 20, 2026
Logging 46 minutes and carrying the offensive load with 15 field goals and 6 assists, Brunson was the man of the moment as the game looked out of sight for New York at one point.
Before the opening tip, Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony felt something brewing, and his remarks on New York’s championship chances almost became prophetic after the final buzzer.
“I mean, this run feels different. The Knicks have an identity right now. They’re tough, they’re connected,” Anthony had said hours before the game.
“They don’t seem like they’re flinching in any environment. (Jalen) Brunson is playing like one of the best five players in the league right now,” Anthony continued, highlighting the dual impact of the team’s top stars and depth of the rotation.
“And Karl-Anthony Towns is just showing he can be that two-way piece, right? And the bench, there’s been a collective effort, and it’s been impressive to watch.”
Towns backed up Carmelo’s praise by controlling the glass to grab 13 rebounds alongside his 13 points and 5 assists.
The bench was also instrumental, with Landry Shamet hitting timely 3-pointers to finish with 9 points and a plus-25 rating in just 17 minutes on the floor.
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Talking about New York’s newfound momentum after going 2-1 down to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, Carmelo praised the team’s ability to seize control and put themselves in a position to win.
“Instead of weeks ago, when they were trying to figure it out… they were just losing to a moment. Now they are the moment.”
The Cavaliers looked completely exhausted late in the fourth quarter, something New York capitalized on to pull away.
Things went wrong for Cleveland on multiple fronts, with James Harden’s turnover struggles proving costly. The 11-time All-Star recorded 15 points but also gave up 6 turnovers, running out of gas while New York’s barrage continued.
Getting outscored 44-11 after taking a 93-71 lead, a shellshocked Cleveland team gets two days to recover before Game 2 tips off Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.