Knicks beat Cavaliers in OT to take Game 1 at MSG

The New York Knicks opened the Eastern Conference Finals with a 115-104 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers after overtime at Madison Square Garden. It took a furious late push to erase a 22-point deficit, then a dominant extra five minutes to put the series at 1-0. The Garden was full and loud, with 19,812 on hand for a wild finish.

Overtime belongs to New York

Tied 101-101 after regulation, the Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 14-3 in OT. New York grabbed every rebound in the extra period 5-0 and held Cleveland to 1-of-7 shooting with no free throws. OG Anunoby calmly hit key free throws, Landry Shamet splashed a big three, and Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges added timely buckets to close it out.

Brunson’s 38 sets the tone

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 38 points, adding 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals on 15-of-29 shooting. He posted a Sofascore Rating of 8.5 and was the engine of the fourth-quarter surge that dragged the Knicks back from 14 down entering the final frame. Bridges backed him with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Anunoby finished with 13 points and late-game composure at the line. Off the bench, Shamet’s 9 points on 3-of-3 from deep came with a game-best +25.

Cleveland’s hot third, cold finish

The Cavaliers controlled long stretches, leading for 31:09 and building their biggest gap at 22. Donovan Mitchell poured in 29 points with 6 steals and a Sofascore Rating of 8.2. Evan Mobley had 15 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks, Jarrett Allen added 10 points and 7 boards with 6 offensive rebounds. But Cleveland went cold late, scoring 18 in the fourth quarter and just 3 in OT.

The numbers that told the story

– Inside game and boards: Knicks won 2-point shots 32/56 to 20/40 and outrebounded the Cavs 47-38, including 38-27 on the defensive glass.
– Threes vs twos: Cleveland hit more threes 16/50, but New York’s efficiency at the rim and extra free throws 21/32 vs 16/23 swung the math.
– Turnovers and fouls: Knicks had 17 turnovers to Cleveland’s 19. The Cavs blocked 6 shots to New York’s 2, but New York’s fourth-quarter shooting 13/22 and perfect OT control sealed it.
– Fourth to OT swing: After trailing 69-83 through three, the Knicks won the fourth 32-18 to force overtime, then finished the job 14-3.

This was a classic Madison Square Garden Playoffs night. For live scores, player cards, and Sofascore Rating details across the NBA Playoffs, fans can track every game and stat on Sofascore.