Both conference-finals Game 1s go to overtime; Knicks edge Cavaliers in OT

The NBA's conference finals opened with two overtime games on May 18 and May 19, a first for Game 1s in both brackets, according to an NBA social-media post cited by Newsweek. New York beat Cleveland 115-104 in overtime at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. (nba.com) San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 122-115 in double overtime at Paycom Center on Monday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Basketball-Reference lists the Eastern series as Knicks 1, Cavaliers 0. ### How did the Knicks get out of a game they were losing badly? New York trailed 93-71 with 7:52 left in regulation before closing on a 44-11 run, according to NBA.com. Jalen Brunson scored 38 points as the Knicks forced overtime and then opened the extra period with a 9-0 burst. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 29 points. Brunson told reporters after the game that the Knicks' message during the rally was simple: "Just keep fighting." NBA.com's game recap said he tied the score at 101 with 19 seconds left in regulation after repeatedly attacking Cleveland late. (newsweek.com) ### What does the result mean for the East series right now? Basketball-Reference lists New York ahead 1-0 in the 2026 Eastern Conference finals. NBA.com's series page says Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, again at Madison Square Garden. (nba.com) The Knicks moved within three wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, according to the Associated Press report carried on NBA.com. OG Anunoby, back after missing two games with a strained right hamstring, scored 13 points in the win. (nba.com) ### What happened in the West opener at Paycom Center? San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 122-115 in double overtime on May 18 at Paycom Center, according to Fox Sports and Newsweek. Victor Wembanyama finished with 41 points and 24 rebounds in nearly 49 minutes, while Newsweek framed the game as a matchup centered on Wembanyama and Thunder big man Chet Holmgren. (basketball-reference.com) Newsweek said Wembanyama "out-dueled" Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the opener. Fox Sports' game page listed the result as a 2OT final and showed San Antonio taking a 1-0 series lead. (nba.com) ### Why was this start to the round unusual? Newsweek reported that "the first time in NBA history" that Game 1 of both conference finals went to overtime came this week, citing an NBA social-media announcement. The Eastern opener needed one extra period, while the Western opener went two. (foxsports.com) The back-to-back finishes also produced the round's first standout individual lines. Brunson had 38 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals for New York, while Wembanyama posted 41 points and 24 rebounds for San Antonio, Newsweek reported. (newsweek.com) ### What comes next in both series? Game 2 in the East is set for Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. Eastern between Cleveland and New York, according to NBA.com. Newsweek reported that Game 2 in the West was scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (newsweek.com) Eastern in Oklahoma City, with betting markets already posting odds on May 20. (nba.com)