Knicks Take Two-Game Edge in the Eastern Conference Finals With a 109-93 Victory

*** The Knicks didn’t use a dramatic late fourth quarter run to sink the Cavaliers the way they did two nights earlier. 

Instead, in Game 2, it was an 18-0 run just after halftime that put New York in the driver’s seat for the rest of the game – and in the series – taking a two-game edge in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 109-93 victory as the series heads back to Cleveland this weekend.

Neither team led by more than six points in the first half of Thursday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden as the Cavs proved that they’d put Tuesday night’s heartbreaker behind them. Trailing by just four at the half, Cleveland tied the game at 53-apiece less than two minutes into the third quarter. But that’s as good as it would get in Game 2. 

Jalen Brunson’s three-pointer lit the fuse, and Josh Hart took over from there, drilling two of his three three-pointers in the period as the Knicks blew open a previously close contest. Max Strus’ three-pointer stopped the bleeding after the 18-0 surge, but the Wine & Gold never truly threatened again the rest of the way. 

After playing a game every other day since late April and on the road for a week after needing to win two seven-game series, the Cavaliers understandably seemed to show signs of fatigue – both physical and mental – against a red-hot Knicks team that’s now won nine straight playoff games. 

“Fatigue probably was a factor, but I hate saying that that's the reason why the outcome was the way it was,” said Jarrett Allen. “I do think guys are mentally and physically fatigued, but I think we've had great success in our recovery. You know, we talk about winning the recovery battle every single night, every single day, and just trying to get your body ready for the next game so you can give everything out there.”

Only four Cavaliers notched double-figure scoring on Thursday, and Cleveland didn’t much from the bench in the loss, with Dennis Schroder as the only reserve to connect on more than one field goal. 

Donovan Mitchell led the Wine & Gold in scoring once again – finishing with 26 points on 8-for-18 shooting, including 2-of-7 from deep and 8-of-9 from the stripe, adding four boards and a blocked shot. 

James Harden chipped in with 18 points, going 6-for-15 from the floor, grabbing six rebounds and a pair of steals in the loss. 

“We just didn’t make shots,” said Harden. “We had a lot of open shots – makeable shots. (If) we hit a couple of those, it’s a different ballgame. I think throughout the entire game, the process was good. I don't know if it was tired legs or whatever case might be, but we had a lot of really good looks. It’s just part of the game.” 

Jarrett Allen doubled-up with 13 points and 10 boards, five off the offensive glass, and blocked another pair of shots – giving him at least one block in 15 straight postseason games and 29 total during the 2026 playoffs. 

Evan Mobley was the only other Cavalier in double-figures with 14 points – adding six boards, three assists and a pair of blocks – but he also didn’t attempt a single shot in 18 minutes of work after intermission. Like his fellow big man, Mobley’s been on a shot-blocking tear during the 2026 playoffs –posting his ninth straight game with multiple swats, with 24 total over that stretch. 

Cleveland’s second unit didn’t muster much offense in the Game 2 loss – with Max Strus and Sam Merrill combining to go just 2-of-15 from the floor. 

Overall, the Cavaliers shot 39 percent from the field, including 26 percent (9-for-35) from long-range while handing out just 15 assists. Through the first two games of the series, Cleveland is connecting on just 29 percent (25-of-85) in the series. 

“We knew coming into this series, we were gonna have to make threes,” said Coach Kenny Atkinson. “And unfortunately, tonight, we can easily go home and shoot 43 percent, and maybe it's a different story. That being said, we do have to find a way to get our bigs at the rim more, get more free throws, and probably attack downhill more in transition. That's usually when (New York) is spread out. We've got to look at it. We’ve got to be better.”

Josh Hart led the Knicks with 26 points, going 10-for-21 from the floor, including 5-of-11 from long-range. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his second straight double-double in the series, finishing with 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. The Cavaliers forced Tuesday night’s hero, Jalen Brunson, to be more of a playmaker in Game 2, and he did just that – handing out 14 assists to go with 19 points, 17 of which he scored after intermission. 

The Knicks shot 52 percent from the floor, handed out 32 assists and committed just eight turnovers on the night while besting the Wine and Gold in the paint, 58-40, and on the break, 13-8. 

*** After fallings the Knicks on Thursday, the Wine & Gold return to the cozy confines of Rocket Arena, where things will get loud on Saturday night for Game 3, the first Eastern Conference Finals game in downtown Cleveland since a 109-99 win over the Celtics on May 25, 2018. Game 4 goes down on Monday night before the series shifts back to the Big Apple, if necessary, next Wednesday. Game 6 will take place next Friday night in Cleveland, and if the Cavaliers stretch things to seven games once again, it’s slated for next Sunday back at Madison Square Garden.