Knicks take First Win of the Season in a strong fourth quarter against the Cavaliers

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks overcame a resilient Cleveland Cavaliers squad 119-111 on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, powered by balanced scoring and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, adding 14 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block in a dominant two-way performance. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 23 points and 5 assists despite a rough shooting night (5-of-18 from the field). Mikal Bridges chipped in 16 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as New York improved its record with a gritty team effort.

Miles McBride provided a spark off the bench with 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including four three-pointers, while Tyler Kolek added 7 points and 2 assists in limited minutes.

First Half: Knicks Build Double-Digit Lead

The Knicks seized control early, opening up a 17-point lead in the first quarter behind hot shooting and aggressive defense. New York’s ball movement and transition game overwhelmed Cleveland, as the home team shot 43% from the field and dominated the glass with 48 total rebounds.

Brunson and Towns set the tone early, combining for 21 first-half points, while Anunoby’s versatility on both ends kept the Cavaliers at bay. The Knicks took a 65-50 lead into halftime, fueled by a 14-of-40 performance from beyond the arc and a commanding 31-of-36 showing at the free-throw line.

Second Half: Cavaliers Claw Back, But Fall Short

Cleveland refused to go quietly. Led by Donovan Mitchell’s game-high 31 points on 12-of-25 shooting, the Cavaliers mounted a furious comeback in the second half. Evan Mobley added 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Sam Merrill provided crucial perimeter shooting with 19 points, including 5-of-10 from three-point range.

The Cavaliers outscored the Knicks 37-22 in the third quarter. Trimming the deficit to just one point heading into the final frame. Mitchell’s relentless attacking and Mobley’s efficient scoring kept Cleveland within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter.

Larry Nance Jr. contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Along with Dean Wade added 10 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from deep. Lonzo Ball struggled with turnovers but dished out 6 assists in 23 minutes.

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Fourth Quarter: Free Throws Seal Victory

The Knicks leaned on their free-throw shooting in crunch time, converting 31 of 36 attempts for the game (86.1%). Anunoby and Brunson repeatedly got to the line in the final minutes. Icing the game as Cleveland’s comeback bid fell short.

New York’s defense tightened when it mattered most, forcing 15 Cavaliers turnovers and converting them into 21 points. The Knicks also dominated the paint, outscoring Cleveland 42-30 in the restricted area.

Key Stats

• Knicks: 37-86 FG (43.0%), 14-40 3PT (35.0%), 31-36 FT (86.1%), 48 rebounds, 22 assists
• Cavaliers: 40-86 FG (46.5%), 19-46 3PT (41.3%), 12-18 FT (66.7%), 32 rebounds, 21 assists
• Largest Lead: Knicks by 17
• Fast Break Points: Cavaliers 22, Knicks 16
• Bench Scoring: Knicks outscored Cleveland’s reserves significantly

Looking Ahead

The Knicks will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand, while the Cavaliers return home searching for answers after a tough road loss. Mitchell’s scoring prowess and Mobley’s emerging two-way dominance remain bright spots for Cleveland moving forward.

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