How Jalen Brunson’s torture of James Harden drew battle lines for rest of Knicks-Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson's performance against James Harden was pivotal in the Knicks' Game 1 victory over the Cavaliers. In the fourth quarter, Brunson isolated Harden multiple times, leading to a significant scoring advantage for the Knicks. This strategy proved effective, contributing to their 115-104 win in the Eastern Conference finals.
- ▪Jalen Brunson isolated James Harden nine times in the fourth quarter.
- ▪The Knicks averaged 1.9 points per action during this stretch.
- ▪Mike Brown acknowledged the team's focus on attacking Harden after the game.
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beyond the back page How Jalen Brunson’s torture of James Harden drew battle lines for rest of Knicks-Cavaliers By Jake Nisse Published May 21, 2026, 7:55 a.m. ET Jalen Brunson drives around James Harden in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers on May 19, 2026. AP It took roughly three-and-a-half quarters, but the Knicks found quite the winning recipe toward the end of their stunning Game 1 comeback win against the Cavaliers. And it was pretty simple. Jalen Brunson put James Harden on an island in the fourth quarter, as he isolated on the future Hall of Famer a staggering nine times and routinely burned his opponent, helping the Knicks average 1.9 points per action.
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