Knicks Win Ninth Consecutive Playoff Game, Defeat Cavs, 2-0 Lead

By Daniel Feuerstein | New York, NY | May 21st, 2026

After making history as the first team to come back from a 22-point deficit and win the game in overtime, the New York Knicks returned to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a much better start for the Knicks in this game, and the Cavaliers were keeping pace. Still, when the second half began, the Knicks pulled away and never allowed the Cavaliers to cut the lead to six, taking a two-game lead in the Eastern Conference Final by a final score of 109-91.

The first half of the game was a bit even between the two teams, with the Cavaliers pulling ahead after the Knicks got off to a five-point lead. Strong shots from the Cavs and took a three-point lead from Donovan Mitchell, until the second quarter, when the Knicks took the lead back and started to go ahead, but when the third quarter began, they exploded into the lead and never looked back. Both Donovan Mitchell and Josh Hart were the leading scorers with 26 points. Three players finished the night with double-doubles. Jalen Brunson had 19 points and 14 assists, Karl Anthony Towns had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, and Jarrett Allen had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

First Half: A better start to the game, until the Knicks grabbed the lead

The Knicks began with a 5-0 run until the Cavaliers tied it up, and Evan Mobley hit a three-pointer to take the lead. The Knicks’ three-point shooting had another poor start, going 1 for 6. But O.G. Anunoby received the ball after a blocked shot from Karl Anthony Towns as he was camped under the hoop, and Anunoby, with a turnaround jumper, laid it in. Towards the end of the first quarter, Mitchell hit a three-pointer for the lead at 27-24. In the second quarter, the Knicks started to chip the deficit away and finally caught the Cavs with a 34-33 lead at 7:10 of the second. When Anunoby finished the layup, the Knicks started to step ahead at 40-36 and then took the lead for good at halftime with a 53-49 lead.

Second Half: Knicks take over in the third quarter and beyond

When the third quarter began, the Knicks decided to take advantage of the Cavaliers and separate themselves with a huge 18-0 run and an 18-point lead. Josh Hart drained multiple three-pointers, with Jalen Brunson starting to drain shots in both the third and fourth quarters with multiple pull-up jumpers, layups, and a three-pointer or two to get his point totals from nine to 19 to finish the game. Stellar defense was also the name of the game, forcing the Cavaliers to make bad shots or forcing the ball out of their hands to convert fast break points. With a little over two minutes remaining, both teams took out their starters and allowed the backups to finish the game. The Knicks are leading the series 2-0, and they are on a nine-game playoff winning streak.

KEY STATS:
CLEVELAND: 30 FOR 78 FG’S, 9 FOR 35 3PTS, 22 FOR 32 FG’S
NEW YORK: 44 FOR 48 FG’S, 13-35 3PTS, 8 FOR 14 FT’S
LARGEST LEAD: KNICKS WITH 18 POINTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER
MOST POINTS: KNICKS WITH 32 POINTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER

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