Knicks win Game 1 of Eastern Conference finals in overtime over Cavaliers

The New York Knicks opened the Eastern Conference finals with a 115-104 overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, May 19, at Madison Square Garden. New York trailed by 22 points before rallying late, then outscored Cleveland in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, and Mikal Bridges added two-way production as the Knicks recovered after being outplayed for much of the night. NBA.com described it as a 22-point comeback, with the Knicks overturning the game in the final stretch. ### How big was the Knicks’ comeback? NBA.com said New York completed a 22-point comeback in Game 1, turning a game that had been controlled by Cleveland into an overtime win at home. The league’s nightly recap said it was the largest fourth-quarter comeback in a conference finals game since 1997. (nba.com) The final score was 115-104 after overtime, according to the official game summary. Cleveland led for long stretches before New York forced the extra period and then finished the game in overtime. ### What did Brunson and Bridges do? Jalen Brunson finished with 30 points and was central to New York’s late offense, according to NBA.com’s Game 1 coverage. (nba.com) NBA.com’s takeaways said the Knicks “had Jalen Brunson,” describing him as the player who led New York to the overtime victory. Mikal Bridges was highlighted in the upstream briefings and Knicks-focused postgame coverage as a key support piece on both ends of the floor during the comeback. (nba.com) The available primary reports emphasize his contribution alongside Brunson as New York stabilized late and then controlled overtime. (nba.com) ### Where did Cleveland lose control? Cleveland had the sharper start and built the large lead while New York struggled offensively for most of the first 40 minutes, NBA.com said in its takeaways. That report said the Cavaliers scored efficiently enough early while the Knicks managed only 71 points on their first 82 possessions before the game shifted. (nba.com) NBA.com’s live recap said the ending turned on New York’s late rally and overtime execution rather than a single possession. The game became part of a broader pattern in this round, with both conference finals openers going to overtime, according to league-produced coverage cited in the media briefing. (nba.com) ### Why does Madison Square Garden matter here? Madison Square Garden was the site of the opener and the setting for the Knicks’ comeback. The official game summary lists the arena in New York as the location of the 115-104 result. Knicks-focused postgame discussion cited in the source briefings pointed to the arena atmosphere during the fourth-quarter rally, though those descriptions were part of commentary rather than the official box score. (nba.com) What is confirmed in primary coverage is that New York protected home court in the opener and now carries the series lead to Cleveland. (nba.com) ### When is Game 2 and where is the series headed next? The Knicks’ official Game 2 notes say New York will face Cleveland again at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 21. The game is scheduled for Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with ESPN carrying the broadcast, according to the Knicks’ team site. (nba.com) ESPN’s 2026 playoffs hub says conference finals series follow the 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team holding the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. Cleveland, as the higher seed, is set to host the next two games after New York’s Game 1 win at Madison Square Garden. (espn.com) (nba.com)