New York returns from 22 down to beat the Cavs in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals

2026-05-20T05:35:51+00:00 2026-05-20T05:37:36+00:00.

Aris Barkas

20/May/26 05:35

Eurohoops.net

With the biggest comeback in the playoffs since 1970, the Knicks prevailed over Cleveland in overtime

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

The Cavs were leading by 22 at the start of the last quarter, but in the end, the Knicks managed to get the overtime 115-104 win in  Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Jalen Brunson, with 38 points, was unstoppable, and New York, despite trailing 93-71 with 7:52 to play, made an amazing comeback.

Brunson started an 18-1 run and tied the score at 101, leading to overtime, which opened with a 9-0 run by the Knicks.

Mikal Bridges added 18 points, and three Knicks scored 13, including British OG Anunoby, who returned to action after missing two games with a strained right hamstring.

Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points for the Cavaliers, who collapsed in the end.

German point guard Dennis Schroder added three points and five assists for the losing side.

The only bigger fourth-quarter playoff comeback in the last 30 years was when the Clippers rallied from 24 down to beat Memphis in Game 1 in 2012.

The Knicks came from 20 points behind three times last year in the postseason. Until this game, those were their largest comebacks on record since 1969-70, when they won their first of two NBA titles.

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