Knicks pull off epic Game 1 comeback over Cavaliers as Jalen Brunson turns James Harden into a red carpet
The Knicks staged a remarkable comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers, overcoming a 22-point deficit. Jalen Brunson played a pivotal role, scoring 17 of his 38 points in the final minutes and overtime. The Knicks' victory marks the second-largest fourth-quarter comeback in playoff history.
- ▪The Knicks erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit with a 44-11 run.
- ▪Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his 38 points in the final 12 minutes and overtime.
- ▪The final score was Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104, giving the Knicks a 1-0 series lead.
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Knicks pull off epic Game 1 comeback over Cavaliers as Jalen Brunson turns James Harden into a red carpet What Brunson did to Harden down the stretch should qualify as a crime By Brad Botkin May 20, 2026 at 12:56 am ET • 5 min read Getty Images For three and a half quarters, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals looked like the JV version of the Spurs-Thunder varsity headliner. The Cavs were up 22. The Knicks couldn't throw it in the ocean. Madison Square Garden was a cemetery. And then Jalen Brunson happened. Over the final 12 minutes and 39 seconds of the game, which included a five-minute overtime, Brunson scored 17 of his 38 points as the Knicks erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit by way of a 44-11 run to absolutely gut the Cavs. Final score: Knicks 115, Cavs 104.
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