The Cleveland Cavaliers were defeated by the NY Knicks 115-104 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to a comeback victory, scoring 38 points.
What happened?
The Knicks were down by 22 points in the fourth quarter but managed to tie the game at 101-101 with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Cavaliers had a strong start, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 29 points. However, the Knicks outscored them 44-11 after their 93-71 lead.
Why it matters for Cleveland Cavaliers
This loss is a significant setback for the Cavaliers, who were on a 4-game winning run. Their recent form has been impressive, with a record of 4W-0D-0L, but this loss may affect their momentum.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-10 | Milwaukee Bucks | 112-100 |
What comes next?
The Knicks will host Game 2 on Thursday, and the Cavaliers will look to bounce back from this loss. The Cavaliers' coach, Kenny Atkinson, said, "We played great basketball tonight for three quarters. Unfortunately, the fourth quarter — they dominated us in the fourth quarter." The Knicks' win was their eighth straight, and they moved within three wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Mikal Bridges added 18 points, and three Knicks scored 13, including OG Anunoby. Evan Mobley had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers. James Harden also scored 15 points but was just 1 for 10 on 3-pointers. The Knicks' defense was strong in the fourth quarter and overtime, allowing them to secure the win. Karl-Anthony Towns said, "But it was our defense that has always been special in these playoffs and that has carried us in this playoffs, that showed up in the fourth quarter and in overtime." The Cavaliers will look to regroup and come back stronger in Game 2.