For the first time in 26 years, the Eastern Conference finals run through 33rd and 7th as the New York Knicks welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1.
After dismantling the 76ers in the semifinals, the Knicks enter Tuesday with a rest advantage and a raucous Garden crowd behind them.
Jalen Brunson continues his historic postseason run, but he faces a Cleveland squad that has proven to be a defensive nightmare, led by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest Eastern Conference finals news, score and analysis.
The home fans surely helped the Knicks get over the line tonight. And they'll hope to do the same for Game 2 on Thursday. Mike Brown says that Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden were "freaking awesome" tonight: Quiet for three quarters, Jalen Brunson threw on his Superman cape when the situation was its most dire. He scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, carrying the Knicks to a comeback from 22 points down. His jumper with 19.3 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, and his assist on a Landry Shamet 3-pointer with 1:49 to go iced the dramatic Game 1 victory.A final message for Knicks fans
By Jake Nisse
"Our crowd is fantastic. It's the best in the league. Our guys felt their energy." pic.twitter.com/PnnAMIYmiYHeroes, zeros from Knicks’ Game 1 win over Cavaliers: James Harden had night to forget
By Zach Braziller Hero
The forward's struggles at other points this season have been well-noted, but he's been tremendous of late and turned in another impressive two-way performance on Tuesday.
mikal made his presence FELT 🙌
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2026
18 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/u1oEE9ZgyU
Brunson went to work on the fourth quarter and OT with Harden guarding him. And Brown certainly wasn't mad about his guard playing a bit of hero ball.
Mike Brown was asked about the Knicks attacking James Harden defensively:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 20, 2026
"Sometimes, you got to do what the game dictates. They were trying to do the same thing with Jalen. We said, 'okay, we feel like we can play that game.' We try not to play that game much, but we feel like… pic.twitter.com/KoXAkXz8Yj
It took a while for Brunson to find his rhythm but he certainly found it, finishing with 38 points — including 15 in the fourth quarter — as Captain Clutch found his idea switch off screens (ahem, James Harden) and he cooked. Only shot 1 for 6 from beyond the arc but it didn’t matter. Brunson got to where he wanted on Harden, a poor defender and historical choke artist who was overmatched when it mattered most.
Grade: A-
Barkley, evidently, has a different view of the game's finish than Atkinson. And I think many people are inclined to agree.
Charles Barkley on the Cavs: "Hell yeah that was a choke job." #NBApic.twitter.com/alyhnQmYEp
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 20, 2026
After what will go down as a collapse for the ages, Atkinson says his team got "a little unlucky" and that he was proud of his group. OK, then.
"We [Cavs] got a little unlucky...they [Knicks] dominated us in the 4th quarter"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 20, 2026
- Kenny Atkinson 😳 pic.twitter.com/Z4a2p8r5Zu
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals appeared destined to be a Knicks dud.
Instead, it turned into an instant classic.
The Knicks rallied for a 115-104 win over the Cavaliers in overtime on the strength of a nearly impossible comeback in the fourth quarter.
The numbers behind Tuesday's stunning finish. The Knicks needed to essentially pitch a perfect game over the last eight minutes. And they did.
What a historic collapse. 44-11 run over the final 7:45 of regulation and overtime:
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 20, 2026
Knicks shot 15/20
Cavs shot 4/18
Brunson: 17 points on 8/10
Harden + Mitchell: 3 points on 1/10
Knicks had a 173.2 offensive rating and Cavs had a 50.6 offensive rating. Stats via @joinoffside. pic.twitter.com/1trEc8pmF2
It's a team game, but Harden was at the center of the Cavs' collapse, as he went 1-of-7 in the fourth quarter and OT and consistently got burned by Brunson on the other end (who had 17 points in the fourth/OT).
Again, though, so much of this comes down to Atkinson, who of course could've subbed Harden or put someone else on Brunson.
JALEN BRUNSON JUST COOKED HARDEN. OMG. KNICKS ARE ROLLING. pic.twitter.com/kFEXyTD1KE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 20, 2026
Some fourth quarter heroics from Brunson, a memorable make from Shamet and frankly, some egregious coaching from Atkinson sees the Knicks steal a 115-104 win.
That is going to be so tough to take for the Cavs, who were in control the entire second half.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!! pic.twitter.com/YW1vJKCv0V
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2026
The Knicks are up nine with 30 seconds remaining, and this one seems all but over. A stunning comeback, and a truly devastating loss for the Cavs.
