Knicks-Cavs Game 1 takeaways: Keys to New York’s dramatic comeback win

NEW YORK — As exultant fans leaked slowly back out into an unseasonably warm night in the city, the New York Knicks players huddled briefly near midcourt and embraced each other.

Just minutes earlier, this building had been dazed, silent. That was before Jalen Brunson carried his teammates and this city to an improbable comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

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The Knicks frantically erased a 22-point fourth quarter deficit to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 115-104, Tuesday, May 19 to position themselves three victories away from the NBA Finals.

It was the second largest comeback in the fourth quarter of a postseason game since 1997, the start of the play-by-play era.

Here are takeaways from the Knicks’ victory Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals:

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Celebrities turn out for Knicks vs. Cavaliers showdown in New York

Spike Lee reacts during the first quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

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Celebrities turn out for Knicks vs. Cavaliers showdown in New York

Spike Lee reacts during the first quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

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Celebrities turn out for Knicks vs. Cavaliers showdown in New York

Ben Stiller looks on during the first quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

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Celebrities turn out for Knicks vs. Cavaliers showdown in New York

Spike Lee reacts during the first quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

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Celebrities turn out for Knicks vs. Cavaliers showdown in New York

General view of Madison Square Garden before game one of the eastern conference finals during the 2026 NBA…

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Publish date : 2026-05-20 05:44:00

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