Knicks Extend Postseason Dominance with 109-93 Victory Over Cavaliers
Josh Hart’s career-high 26 points and a decisive third-quarter run propel the Knicks to their ninth consecutive postseason win, the longest streak in the NBA since 2024.
The New York Knicks secured a commanding 109-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, establishing a 2-0 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Played at Madison Square Garden, the win extends New York’s postseason winning streak to nine games, marking the longest such run in the league since the Boston Celtics won ten consecutive matches en route to the 2024 championship.
Josh Hart led the offensive charge with a playoff career-high 26 points, shooting 5 from 11 from three-point range and adding seven assists. Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and recorded a playoff career-high 14 assists, while Mikal Bridges scored 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks’ performance was anchored by an 18-0 run in the third quarter, which extended their lead to 71-53 with 5:36 remaining in the period.
Cleveland struggled to maintain momentum, particularly from the free-throw line, where they missed 10 shots and finished at 68.8 per cent. Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for the Cavaliers, and James Harden added 18 points, but the team could not overcome the deficit generated in the third quarter. The Cavaliers now face elimination in Game 3, which they will host on Saturday.
This marks the second consecutive year the Knicks have reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and the second consecutive round in which the Cavaliers have trailed by a 2-0 margin. New York has not appeared in the NBA Finals since 1999, when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks have demonstrated significant resilience in close contests this postseason, holding a 9-4 record in games decided by three points or fewer.
Head coach Mike Brown praised Hart’s performance, describing it as a "whale of a game" after the forward overcame early shooting struggles. Hart, who had been shooting 26.7 per cent from three-point range in recent games, adjusted his approach after missing early attempts. Mitchell, who scored only seven points in the first half, acknowledged the challenge of protecting home court but remained focused on the upcoming contest.
