Down 22 points in the 4th quarter with less than 8 minutes to play, the New York Knicks did the IMPOSSIBLE; Yankee Scores reports…

Jalen Brunson set up one of the most impressive postseason comebacks in Knicks’ history, helping the Knicks erase a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and scoring 38 points in a 115-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday.

Bruson’s Heroics

After setting an NBA record during the first two rounds, the Knicks struggled for 40 minutes against the Cavaliers, falling behind by 22 entering the fourth quarter, trailing 93-71 with 7:52 remaining.

Brunson repeatedly drove past James Harden, igniting an 18-1 run, and tying the score at 101 with 19 seconds remaining.

New York began overtime with a 9-0 run, and an energized Madison Square Garden crowd rose to its feet. The Knicks are now just three victories away from their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999.

JALEN BRUNSON. TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/TOGKY60uw4

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2026

Historic Comeback

The comeback was just the second time in the last 30 playoffs that a team overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Prior to Tuesday, teams were 594-1 in such situations.

Only once since 1991 has a team come back in the fourth quarter in a playoff game from a deficit larger than that suffered by New York Tuesday—a 24-point deficit overcome by the Clippers against Memphis in Game 1 of 2012.

One year ago, the Knicks mounted three 20-point comebacks during the playoffs—the most significant reversals recorded since 1969-70 when the franchise won its first of two NBA titles.

Anunoby’s Return and the Supporting Cast

Bridges added 18 points, while three other Knicks players scored 13 points apiece, including OG Anunoby, who was making his return after sitting out the previous two games due to a right hamstring strain.

MIKAL WITH A MONEY SHOT 🤑 pic.twitter.com/kFslXDMwj8

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2026

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, as Cleveland seemed destined for their third straight road win until falling apart down the stretch.

Knicks’ Pedigree

The Knicks improved their winning streak to eight games and will host Game 2 on Thursday.

Previously, the Knicks had outscored Atlanta and Philadelphia by a total of 194 points – the largest margin for a team over its first 10 postseason games.

However, after taking a break since defeating the 76ers in four games to reach the Eastern Conference finals on May 10, the Knicks played poorly, appearing rusty rather than well-rested.

The Knicks shot 4-for-23 from beyond the arc through three quarters and started poorly in the fourth quarter. Still, one year after allowing a 14-point lead slip away during the final minutes of regulation and falling to Indiana in overtime of Game 1 of the conference finals on their home floor, the Knicks finally found their offensive touch.

Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley added 15 points and 14 rebounds. Harden contributed 15 points but shot just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc and committed six turnovers, more than his total of five made field goals.