Full Breakdown
Knicks Rally From 22-Point Deficit to Win Game 1 in Overtime
5/20/2026, 6:46:34 AM
Game 1 Thriller: Knicks Overcome 22-Point Deficit
On May 19, 2026, the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks trailed 93-71 with 7:52 remaining in the fourth quarter before an 18-1 run, sparked by Jalen Brunson, erased the gap and forced overtime, where a 9-0 surge sealed the win.
Key Players and Performances
- Jalen Brunson – 38 points (15 in the fourth), six assists, five rebounds, three steals; 8-for-10 in the final stretch.
- Donovan Mitchell – 29 points, six steals; limited to three points in the decisive fourth-quarter stretch.
- James Harden – 15 points, 1-for-8 from three, six turnovers.
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 13 points, 13 rebounds, five assists.
- Mikal Bridges – 18 points.
- Landry Shamet – 3-for-3 from three in the closing minutes, key three in overtime.
- OG Anunoby – 13 points after returning from a strained hamstring.
- Evan Mobley – 15 points, 14 rebounds.
- Sam Merrill – missed a potential game-winning three at the end of regulation.
Statistical Highlights
- Knicks outscored the Cavs 44-11 in the final 12 minutes (fourth quarter + OT).
- Knicks shot 15-for-20 during the decisive stretch; Cavaliers made 4-of-18.
- The overtime period began with a 9-0 run.
- Overall three-point shooting was 4-for-23 through three quarters for New York.
- ESPN Analytics recorded the Knicks’ win probability at 0.1 % during the comeback.
- The rally ranks as the second-largest fourth-quarter comeback in the past 30 years, behind the 2012 Clippers’ 24-point comeback.
Official Statements & Responses
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said the team “played great basketball for three quarters” but was “dominated in the fourth.”
Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns emphasized that “our defense… showed up in the fourth quarter and in overtime.”
Guard Jalen Brunson noted the squad “kept fighting, kept believing, just kept chipping away.”
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell expressed disappointment, saying the team “should’ve won the game” and “we gotta win the game. We didn’t.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts highlighted the Cavaliers’ late-game execution: five turnovers and a 4-of-18 shooting stretch after holding a 22-point lead.
The Knicks’ early shooting woes—4-for-23 on three-pointers through three quarters—were also cited as a factor that nearly jeopardized the comeback.
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans at Madison Square Garden described the arena as “delirious,” with spectators “dancing and screaming in the aisles” during the 9-0 overtime run. The crowd’s energy was credited with sustaining the Knicks’ momentum.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the historical ranking of the comeback: some label it the second-largest fourth-quarter rally (behind the 2012 Clippers), others call it the largest since 1970, while a few note it as the biggest in Knicks franchise history. No source provides a definitive league-wide ranking, leaving the exact placement ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We got some stops, we kept fighting, kept believing. Just kept chipping away. They were playing great basketball, and we just found a way.” — Jalen Brunson, Knicks guard
- “Should’ve won the game. Not gonna put it on [complacency or fatigue],” — Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers guard
- “We played great basketball tonight for three quarters. Unfortunately, the fourth quarter — they dominated us in the fourth quarter,” — Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers coach
- “But it was our defense that has always been special in these playoffs and that has carried us in this playoffs, that showed up in the fourth quarter and in overtime,” — Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks forward
- “Never doubt,” echoed across social media as Brunson methodically dismantled Cleveland’s defense. — Social-media commentary, cited in coverage
What’s Next
The Knicks will host Game 2 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden, seeking to build on the momentum while the Cavaliers must adjust their fourth-quarter defense and ball security to stay alive in the series.
