Knicks Stage Stunning Comeback Against Cavaliers
Hope
New York Knicks staged an incredible fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime on Tuesday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, while Mikal Bridges added 18 points in a dramatic win at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter and appeared headed for defeat before Brunson inspired a late surge.
New York went on an 18-1 run to cut the deficit before Brunson tied the game at 101-101 with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Knicks then dominated overtime with a 9-0 run to seal the victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.
According to NBA postseason records, New York became only the second team in the last 30 playoffs to recover from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to win a game.
OG Anunoby contributed 13 points in his return after missing two games with a strained right hamstring, while three Knicks players finished with 13 points each.
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, but the Cavaliers were unable to hold onto their commanding lead after appearing in control for most of the game.
The defeat came two days after Cleveland eliminated the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the second round.
The Knicks have now won eight consecutive playoff games and will host Game 2 on Thursday as they move within three victories of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
