Despite leading by as much as 22 points, the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a major meltdown in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, falling 115-104 in overtime to the New York Knicks.
Cavs fans and critics were likely unimpressed by the team’s inability to hold a lead in the fourth quarter, as New York’s Jalen Brunson led the charge, hitting a variety of shots to help cut the lead and win the game.
The Knicks’ three-time All-Star finished with 38 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the win. Teammate Mikal Bridges contributed 18 points and five rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Mitchell gave his all for the Cavs in Game 1, filling out his stat sheet with 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, six steals, and a block, but that wasn’t enough.
The Knicks’ intensity in the fourth quarter prevented Cleveland from scoring, while New York cut their lead down from double-digits to single-digits, and tied it to force overtime.
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Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert may have been disappointed in seeing that frustrating collapse. However, based on a message he sent to fans on social media, he believes his team is still in it.
“@cavs fans… that’s as tough as it gets. Hard to find anything good to say about blowing a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter on the road in the ECF. But at the end of the day, it’s one game, and this team has proven over and over again that it can come back stronger than ever. Let’s get Game 2 Thursday night, and all of this will soon be a distant memory,” Gilbert wrote in his X message.
Gilbert has been the Cavs’ owner since 2005. His brother, Gary Gilbert, is one of the team’s three minority owners, along with singer Usher Raymond and Cleveland Browns NFL star Myles Garrett.
The Knicks entered Game 1 of the ECF as home favorites and the series as favorites. New York also became the favorite to win the Eastern Conference after the Boston Celtics’ early exit, courtesy of the Philadelphia 76ers.
New York’s dominant run to win games included blowing out the Atlanta Hawks in multiple games to claim their first-round series and then bulldozing through the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-game sweep.
They’ve now won eight straight games in the NBA Playoffs, seeming on a mission to get to the NBA Finals. The last time the Knicks were there was 1999.
Previous versions of the Cleveland Cavaliers featured NBA legend LeBron James, who, along with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, helped the franchise win its first championship in 2016.
One has to wonder if this crushing defeat in Game 1 was a serious momentum killer when it comes to the 2026 Cavaliers. However, this team has battled through its first two series, each of which went the full seven games, so it’s unlikely they’re going away.
While Game 2 is in New York, they have a chance to bounce back stronger from the tough loss and even the series 1-1 on Thursday night.
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