New York knicks Vs Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA Playoffs: Brunson Steals The Show In Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Jalen Brunson helped the New York Knicks produce one of their greatest postseason comebacks during Game 1 overtime win (115-104) over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA 2026 Playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old scored 38 points and had five rebounds as the Knicks rallied from a 22-point deficit in the 4th quarter. Trailing 93-71 with 7:52 to play, Brunson sparked an 18-1 run that made it a ballgame, and he tied it at 101-all on a basket with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. They then opened overtime with a 9-0 run to move within three wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points for the Cavaliers, who seemed well on their way to a third straight road win before their late collapse. Game 2, scheduled for May 21, will be played at the same venue. In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 1-0 with a double overtime win (122-115) in the opener.
New York Knicks' Mikal Bridges, left, covers Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden during the overtime period of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after making a basket during the second half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, bottom, drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden during the second half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks fans react during the second half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown yells during the second half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) is lifted off the ground by New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) after scoring a three-point basket during the first overtime of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket during the second half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden, bottom left, fouls New York Knicks' Og Anunoby during the overtime period of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, right, brings the ball up the court during the overtime period of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
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