Knicks win after being down by 22 pts

NEW YORK – 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 Monday 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 three-pointer they went to the extra session – in which the Knicks scored the first nine points.

Brunson admitted he did not know how the Knicks had pulled off the sensational comeback.

“I don’t have an answer for you,” he told broadcaster ESPN. 

“Just keep fighting,” he said.

The Knicks will have a chance to double their lead in the best-of-seven series when they host Game 2 on Thursday.

The winner will face either the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the championship series.

The Spurs beat the Thunder in double-overtime in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

It is the first time in NBA history that the first games in both conference finals have been decided in overtime.

Rust may have played a role in a sluggish Knicks start. New York had been off for nine days after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round.