Knicks storm back from 22 points, stun Cavs in overtime to draw first blood
NEW YORK, United States — The New York Knicks, fueled by 38 points from Jalen Brunson, erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-104, in overtime Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
The Knicks looked done for when they trailed 93-71 with 7:52 left in regulation.
But Brunson spearheaded an 18-1 New York run and banked in a floater to tie it at 101-101 with 19.3 seconds left in regulation.
When Cleveland's Sam Merrill missed a 3-pointer, they went to the extra session — in which the Knicks scored the first nine points.
Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points to lead the Cavaliers and James Harden added 15.
But the Knicks will have a chance to double their lead in the best-of-seven series when they host Game 2 on Thursday (Friday Manila time).
The winner of the series will face either the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the championship series.
The Spurs, fueled by a 41-point performance by Victor Wembanyama, beat the Thunder in double-overtime in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
It's the first time in NBA history that the first two games of both conference finals have been decided in overtime.
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