Knicks Stage 22-Point 4th Quarter Comeback, Beat Cavaliers in OT for First Eastern Conference Finals Win
In the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks, after trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter, tied the game and ultimately defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime to secure the first win of the series. Knicks star Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, leading the team to a spectacular victory that marked the largest 4th quarter comeback in conference finals history.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 13:21
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(CNA, New York, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) In the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks today tied their opponent after being down by 22 points in the 4th quarter, ultimately defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime to get their first win of the series. Knicks star Jalen Brunson scored 38 points today, leading the team to complete the largest 4th quarter comeback in conference finals history.
In the first game of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, suppressed the Knicks throughout, even holding a 22-point lead with 7:52 left in the 4th quarter. The Knicks had a poor performance in the first three quarters, making only 4 of 23 three-point attempts.
However, Jalen Brunson then led the team on an 18-1 run, exploiting defensive lapses by the Cavaliers' James Harden. He tied the game at 101-101 with a floater with 19.3 seconds left in regulation. The Cavaliers' Sam Merrill failed to convert the final shot, sending the game into overtime.
This is also the first time in NBA history that the first two games of a conference finals series have been decided in overtime.
The Knicks started the overtime with a 9-0 run to secure the victory, as home fans sang and cheered ecstatically. The team ultimately won 115-104 and is now just three wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
The Knicks' Mikal Bridges scored 18 points, and a total of three players scored 13 points, including OG Anunoby. He had previously missed two games due to a right hamstring strain but made a successful return off the bench today.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, and Harden contributed 15 points. The Cavaliers once seemed poised to secure their third straight road win but ultimately collapsed late in the game.
The Knicks' victory today can be described as the largest 4th quarter comeback in the playoffs since 2012. In the past 30 years, the largest 4th quarter comeback in the playoffs occurred in 2012, when the Los Angeles Clippers successfully came back from a 24-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their series.
The Knicks had also overcome 20-point deficits three times in last year's playoffs. Today, they not only staged another comeback but also secured their 8th consecutive playoff win. They will host Game 2 of the series on the 21st, with an opportunity to double their lead.
In the first game of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, suppressed the Knicks throughout, even holding a 22-point lead with 7:52 left in the 4th quarter. The Knicks had a poor performance in the first three quarters, making only 4 of 23 three-point attempts.
However, Jalen Brunson then led the team on an 18-1 run, exploiting defensive lapses by the Cavaliers' James Harden. He tied the game at 101-101 with a floater with 19.3 seconds left in regulation. The Cavaliers' Sam Merrill failed to convert the final shot, sending the game into overtime.
This is also the first time in NBA history that the first two games of a conference finals series have been decided in overtime.
The Knicks started the overtime with a 9-0 run to secure the victory, as home fans sang and cheered ecstatically. The team ultimately won 115-104 and is now just three wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
The Knicks' Mikal Bridges scored 18 points, and a total of three players scored 13 points, including OG Anunoby. He had previously missed two games due to a right hamstring strain but made a successful return off the bench today.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, and Harden contributed 15 points. The Cavaliers once seemed poised to secure their third straight road win but ultimately collapsed late in the game.
The Knicks' victory today can be described as the largest 4th quarter comeback in the playoffs since 2012. In the past 30 years, the largest 4th quarter comeback in the playoffs occurred in 2012, when the Los Angeles Clippers successfully came back from a 24-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their series.
The Knicks had also overcome 20-point deficits three times in last year's playoffs. Today, they not only staged another comeback but also secured their 8th consecutive playoff win. They will host Game 2 of the series on the 21st, with an opportunity to double their lead.