Knicks Extend Postseason Dominance with 109-93 Victory Over Cavaliers
The Knicks produced an 18-point surge to extend their winning streak to nine games, while Cleveland struggles from the free-throw line ahead of Games 3 and 4 in Ohio.
The New York Knicks have extended their postseason winning streak to nine consecutive games, securing a decisive 109-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Played at Madison Square Garden, the result places New York in a commanding 2-0 position in the best-of-seven series, with the squad looking to close out the contest on home soil.
The match remained tightly contested until the second half, with the score tied at 53-53. The Knicks then produced an 18-point surge to take a 71-53 lead, a momentum shift that proved insurmountable for Cleveland. Josh Hart was the standout performer for New York, recording a career-high playoff 26 points, including five three-pointers. Teammate Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and 14 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 18.
Hart emphasised the collective nature of the team’s success following the win. "We don't really care who gets the shine, the shots, the minutes, those kind of things - we're focused on winning," Hart said. "I think everyone is willing to sacrifice their own personal agendas or performance for the betterment of the team. And when you have a group of guys that do that, sky's the limit."
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and James Harden contributed 18, but the visiting side struggled to maintain efficiency, particularly from the free-throw line where they missed 10 shots and finished with a 68.8 per cent success rate. Mitchell remained defiant despite the deficit, noting, "This isn't our first time facing adversity. We've been to two game sevens, so being down 2-0, it's not the biggest challenge. It's right there. So let's go ahead and take advantage of it."
The Cavaliers previously demonstrated resilience in the prior round, overcoming a 2-0 deficit against the Detroit Pistons to win that series 4-3. However, New York’s current nine-game streak is the longest in the league since the Boston Celtics won ten consecutive matches en route to the 2024 championship. The Knicks, who last reached the NBA Finals in 1999 and have not won a championship since 1973, will look to extend their advantage when Games 3 and 4 are held in Cleveland on Saturday and Monday. The winners of the Eastern Conference final will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, whose Western Conference final is currently tied 1-1.
