Knicks erase 22-point deficit, beat Cavs 115-104 in OT in East Game 1

Wednesday, May 20, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

Jalen Brunson scored 38 points and the New York Knicks staged one of the biggest fourth-quarter comebacks in NBA postseason history, erasing a 22-point deficit and beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. Trailing 93-71 with under eight minutes left in regulation, New York outscored Cleveland 44-11 the rest of the way — including a 9-0 start to overtime — after Brunson attacked James Harden in isolation to spark an 18-1 run and tie the game late.

Mikal Bridges added 18 points; Donovan Mitchell scored 29 for Cleveland before going cold down the stretch. The Knicks, who had not played in nine days after sweeping the second round, improved to 1-0 in the series and will host Game 2 on Thursday. AP, ESPN, NBC Sports, and NBA.com all treated the collapse-and-rally as the East finals opener headline into Wednesday.

What's confirmed

AP/ESPN/NBC Sports: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104 (OT); Brunson 38; trailed by 22 in the fourth (AP/ESPN/NBC Sports).
AP: Brunson attacked Harden to spark the 18-1 run; tied at 101 with 19 seconds left in regulation (AP).
NBA.com/NBC Sports: Knicks outscored Cavs 44-11 after 93-71; Mitchell scoreless over final stretch; Game 2 Thursday at MSG (NBA.com/NBC Sports).
ESPN: Series 1-0 New York after Tuesday night Game 1 (ESPN).

What's still developing

Whether Cleveland can recover from the collapse in Thursday's Game 2.
How Cavs adjust the Harden–Brunson matchup.
Whether New York's late surge travels if the series shifts to Cleveland.

Sources

AP News — Brunson leads Knicks back from 22 down for 115-104 OT win over Cavs in Game 1 link
ESPN — Knicks 115-104 Cavaliers Game 1 recap link
NBC Sports — New York comes back from 22 down in fourth to take Game 1 in OT behind 38 from Brunson link
NBA.com — Takeaways: Knicks epic comeback win over Cavaliers in Game 1 link
AP News — Knicks, Brunson go after Harden to key their comeback link