Knicks beat Cavaliers 115-104 OT

Jalen Brunson gave New York its clearest answer yet to a familiar playoff question on May 19: what happens when the Knicks fall behind big and still have enough time to put the ball in his hands. Brunson scored 38 points, and the Knicks erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, according to NBA.com and The Associated Press. New York trailed 93-71 early in the fourth before closing regulation and overtime on a 44-11 run, NBA.com said. The win pushed the Knicks to an eight-game playoff winning streak and gave them a 1-0 series lead. ### How big was the hole New York climbed out of? The Knicks were down 22 points in the fourth quarter before the game turned. NBA.com’s recap said New York trailed 93-71 and then finished on a 44-11 burst to take the opener. AP described it as the Knicks’ biggest postseason comeback and one of the largest rallies in NBA playoff history. (nba.com) Cleveland still led by double digits late in regulation, but New York’s pressure changed the game possession by possession. The NBA’s live recap showed the Knicks forcing the pace with perimeter shot-making and defensive stops, then separating in overtime after tying the game at the end of regulation. (apnews.com) ### What did Brunson actually do in the comeback? Brunson finished with 38 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in 46:24, according to the game summary and box-score reporting. The Sporting News figures in the source briefing match the NBA’s listed scoring lead for the series opener. The fourth quarter was the stretch that defined the game. (nba.com) Social and game recaps cited Brunson for 15 points in the period, including the shot that tied the game to force overtime. AP said he “sparked” the rally, while NBA.com’s playoff page listed him as the Game 1 scoring leader as New York moved ahead in the series. (nba.com) ### Who else mattered for Cleveland and New York? Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 29 points, according to NBA.com’s Eastern Conference finals page and AP’s game story. The Cavaliers controlled most of the night before their offense stalled late and New York’s defense tightened around the perimeter. (apnews.com) The box score also showed New York winning the only period that mattered at the end: overtime. NBA.com’s game page recorded the final as 115-104 after the teams were level at the end of regulation, underscoring how completely the game flipped after Cleveland’s 22-point edge. ### Why does the eight-game streak stand out here? (apnews.com) New York’s eight straight playoff wins did not come from one clean path. ESPN’s postseason schedule page shows the Knicks lost twice in the first round before reeling off wins against Atlanta, then sweeping Philadelphia in the conference semifinals before opening the East finals with another comeback victory. (nba.com) The road-and-home split also matters. The source briefing cited four road wins during the streak, and NBA.com confirmed the broader run reached eight games with the Game 1 result. ### When do the teams play next? Game 2 is set for Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. ET, according to NBA.com’s Eastern Conference finals schedule. (espn.com) The series remains in New York for Games 1 and 2 before shifting to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday, May 23, also at 8 p.m. ET. New York enters that game up 1-0 after turning a 22-point deficit into a 115-104 overtime win, with Brunson opening the series as its leading scorer at 38 points. (nba.com) Cleveland enters Game 2 needing to respond after leading 93-71 in the fourth and still losing the opener. (nba.com)