Jalen Brunson powers Knicks’ stunning comeback as Cavaliers collapse in Game 1

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals looked like it was headed toward a forgettable night for the New York Knicks. Instead, Madison Square Garden witnessed an instant playoff classic.

The Knicks stormed back from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime Tuesday night, stealing home-court momentum and taking a 1-0 series lead. With the comeback, New York delivered one of the most stunning turnarounds of the postseason and left Cleveland searching for answers after another late collapse. The dramatic rally was fueled by a dominant close, as New York outscored the Cavaliers 32-18 in the fourth quarter and then controlled overtime.

The game belonged to Jalen Brunson, who once again delivered in the biggest moment. Brunson scored 38 points and took over when the Knicks desperately needed offense. The star guard repeatedly attacked Cleveland’s defense during the closing stretch and helped ignite the game-changing run.

Cavaliers’ fourth-quarter collapse turns control into crisis in Game 1 loss to Knicks

For much of the night, the Cavaliers appeared to be in complete control. Cleveland built a lead that reached 22 points early in the fourth quarter and looked ready to quiet the Madison Square Garden crowd. But over the final eight minutes, everything unraveled.

Just when it appeared Cleveland had finally put together a complete performance, the Cavaliers found another painful way to disappoint. Their offense stalled, defensive breakdowns surfaced and momentum shifted entirely toward New York. The Knicks closed regulation on a stunning 30-8 run to force overtime, turning a comfortable Cavaliers advantage into panic.

The collapse overshadowed what had been a strong performance through three quarters. Instead of celebrating a road victory, Cleveland now enters Game 2 under pressure and facing major questions about finishing games.

Brunson entered the postseason averaging 26.0 points and 6.8 assists, numbers that again reflected his importance during New York’s playoff run.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Cavaliers will attempt to recover from a loss that may linger long after the final buzzer.