Knicks take 2-0 lead over Cavaliers after 18-0 third-quarter surge in Eastern Conference finals
Josh Hart scored a playoff-high 26 as the New York Knicks used an 18-0 third-quarter run to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93, taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
The New York Knicks took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night as Josh Hart’s playoff-career high 26 points and a dominant third quarter powered a 109-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. The win extended the Knicks’ streak to nine straight postseason victories, their longest run in a single playoff year since the Boston Celtics’ 10-game run en route to the 2024 title.
Hart’s scoring outburst shapes the result
Josh Hart finished 5-of-11 from three and added seven assists, providing the spark the Knicks needed from the wing. He shrugged off earlier misses and a visible moment of frustration to become the primary scoring threat from long range during the decisive stretch.
Coach Mike Brown praised Hart after the game, calling it “a whale of a game” and highlighting the veteran’s willingness to keep firing through early struggles. Hart’s balance of shots and playmaking forced Cleveland to adjust its rotations and opened driving lanes for his teammates.
Third-quarter 18-0 run decides the contest
The Knicks flipped the game midway through the third quarter with an 18-0 run that turned a four-point halftime margin into a comfortable lead. New York led 71-53 with 5:36 left in the period after Brunson’s 3-pointer and two more long-range strikes by Hart capped the spurt.
That burst allowed the starters to exit with the outcome largely decided and left the crowd chanting “Knicks in four!” well into the final minutes. Cleveland briefly rallied in the fourth but never overcame the deficit created in that decisive third-quarter stretch.
Brunson and Towns provide complementary impact
Jalen Brunson, who led the Game 1 comeback with 38 points, had a quieter first half but finished with 19 points and a playoff-career best 14 assists. Brunson’s playmaking — including the 3-pointer that ignited the third-quarter run — helped the Knicks convert turnovers and locate open shooters.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the interior and converting key buckets when Cleveland tried to claw back. Mikal Bridges chipped in 19 points and defended the perimeter, giving New York a balanced attack across multiple positions.
Cavaliers hindered by free-throw misses and uneven offense
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 26 points and James Harden scored 18, but the Cavaliers’ efficiency suffered from poor free-throw shooting and an uneven offensive flow. Cleveland missed 10 free throws and finished the game 68.8 percent from the line, a shortfall that stalled late-game momentum.
Mitchell’s slow start and questions about his health lingered after a seven-point first half, but he and Harden still mounted efforts to keep the Cavs within range. Cleveland will need cleaner execution and improved free-throw accuracy when the series shifts back to their home court.
Series outlook and Game 3 setting
With the series heading to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday, the Cavaliers face the task of overcoming a 2-0 deficit for the second consecutive round. New York, meanwhile, will try to maintain momentum and protect home-court advantage as the series progresses.
Both teams emphasized treating each matchup independently; Towns noted the Knicks’ focus on “winning the next game,” an approach the roster has reiterated through a deep postseason run. Cleveland players insisted there was little to regret after Game 2 and vowed to respond on their own floor.
The Knicks’ nine-game postseason streak stands out as a major storyline, marking the NBA’s longest single-postseason run since Boston’s 10 straight wins during the 2024 playoffs. That continuity of results has given New York confidence, but the team and its fans know the margin for error will shrink as the series advances.
The Knicks will aim to carry the third-quarter formula forward — sustained ball movement, timely three-point shooting and interior rebounding — while the Cavaliers must find ways to convert free throws and generate secondary scoring. Game 3 in Cleveland will offer the first major test of whether New York’s recent dominance can hold on the road and whether the Cavs can reset the series narrative.
