Knicks beat Cavaliers in OT Game 1

Jalen Brunson scored 38 points as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime on Tuesday, May 19, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. New York trailed 93-71 with 7:52 left in the fourth quarter before closing regulation and overtime on a 44-11 run, according to NBA.com. Mikal Bridges added 18 points, and the Knicks opened overtime with a 9-0 burst after Brunson tied the game with 19 seconds left in regulation. ### How deep was the Knicks’ hole before the comeback started? The Cavaliers led by 22 points in the fourth quarter and appeared in control for most of the night. NBA.com’s game recap said Cleveland was ahead 93-71 with 7:52 remaining before New York turned the game with an 18-1 run sparked by Brunson’s attacks. (nba.com) The Knicks’ rally became one of the largest late comebacks in postseason history. NBA.com said Cleveland shot 22% over the rest of the game after building that lead, while New York forced overtime with a 30-8 push before winning by 11. (nba.com) ### What did Brunson do late that changed the game? Brunson scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, according to the NBA live blog. He finished with 38 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals, and tied the score at 101-101 on a basket with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. (nba.com) Brunson told reporters the Knicks’ message during the rally was to “keep fighting” and “keep chipping away.” NBA.com’s recap quoted him saying, “We’re not going to get it back in one possession.” ### Where did Bridges and the supporting cast fit in? Mikal Bridges scored 18 points and hit a 3-pointer in overtime as New York pulled away. (nba.com) NBA.com’s game page also listed Landry Shamet’s late 3-pointer as a key play that stretched the Knicks’ lead to 110-101 with 1:49 left in overtime. (nba.com) OG Anunoby scored 13 points in his return after missing two games with a strained right hamstring, according to the Associated Press report carried on NBA.com. Three Knicks finished with 13 points, AP said, helping support Brunson after New York struggled offensively for much of the game. ### What did Cleveland get, and where did it slip away? (nba.com) Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points for Cleveland, and Evan Mobley added 15 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, NBA.com said. Cleveland had been coming off consecutive seven-game series and was positioned for a third straight road win before the late collapse. (nba.com) The Cavaliers did not score enough after Mitchell’s final basket with 8:19 left in the fourth quarter. NBA.com said Mitchell’s last field goal came before the Knicks’ closing surge, and Cleveland managed only 11 points over the remainder of the fourth quarter and overtime combined. (nba.com) ### How unusual was this opener in the broader playoff picture? Both conference finals openers went to overtime for the first time in NBA history, according to NBA.com’s playoff coverage. The Knicks-Cavaliers game became the Eastern bracket’s entry in that record after New York forced extra time with its late push. (nba.com) Basketball-Reference listed the result as a 115-104 overtime win for New York in Game 1 of the 2026 Eastern Conference finals, giving the Knicks a 1-0 series lead. ### When do the teams play again? Game 2 is set for Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. (nba.com) ET at Madison Square Garden, according to NBA.com’s series page. The same page lists Games 3 and 4 for May 23 and May 25, with the series shifting to Cleveland after Thursday’s matchup. (nba.com) (basketball-reference.com)