Knicks comeback vs. Cavs timeline: How New York overcame historic deficit to steal Game 1

In Game 1 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks snatched victory away from the Cleveland Cavaliers with a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to win 115-104.

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It appeared as though the Cavaliers were going to successfully steal home court advantage away from New York with a stunning blowout win, but the Knicks were able to climb back from down 22 points in the fourth quarter. In the process, the Knicks produced one of the most impressive comebacks in NBA playoff history.

Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, but New York used a true team effort while the Cavaliers saw their lead slowly dwindle. Now, Cleveland has to find a way to regroup ahead of Game 2 on Thursday night.

Here’s a breakdown of the Knicks’ comeback in Game 1 vs. Cleveland.

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Knicks vs. Cavs comeback timeline

With 7:52 left in the game, the Cavaliers had a 22-point lead and appeared on their way to a Game 1 victory, but the Knicks would erase that deficit with a 30-8 run to close out the fourth quarter and force overtime. Then, in overtime, the Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 14-3.

The run coincided with the Knicks using Landry Shamet instead of Josh Hart to provide more three-point shooting. While Shamet made some key shots down the stretch, Brunson appeared to single-handedly carry the Knicks at one point.

The run began with Brunson scoring 13 of the Knicks 18 points to get the Knicks back in the game, as the point guard hunted James Harden’s defense.

Jalen Brunson Hunting James Harden pic.twitter.com/rlyEGCbdlf

— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) May 20, 2026

Late in the quarter, Mikal Bridges made two huge threes and played great defense on the other end to keep Cleveland from finding an offensive rhythm again. However, it was Landry Shamet’s late three-pointer that tied the game for the first time since the first half.

Regulation ended with Harden and Brunson trading buckets, while Sam Merrill missed a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

NEW YORK WENT ON A 30-8 TO FORCE OT 💨

SHAMET TIES IT.
HARDEN FOR THE LEAD.
BRUNSON TIES IT AGAIN. https://t.co/ksw9IBlypq pic.twitter.com/Dj0oW01DX7

— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026

Overtime was much of the same. OG Anunoby scored seven of New York’s 14 points while Cleveland only produced three. It was another Shamet three, though, that was the exclamation point.

SHAMET EXTENDS NEW YORK’S LEAD🎯

6-POINT LEAD IN GAME 1 WITH UNDER 2 MINUTES TO PLAY IN OT ON ESPN! pic.twitter.com/uSUHXKm418

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— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026

Once the comeback was complete, it was one of the biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history. At one point, the Cavaliers lead was 22 points. New York made 75 percent of their shots while Cleveland shot just 22 percent from the field from that point forward. 

What a historic collapse. 44-11 run over the final 7:45 of regulation and overtime:

Knicks shot 15/20
Cavs shot 4/18

Brunson: 17 points on 8/10
Harden + Mitchell: 3 points on 1/10

Knicks had a 173.2 offensive rating and Cavs had a 50.6 offensive rating. Stats via @joinoffside. pic.twitter.com/1trEc8pmF2

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 20, 2026

ESPN had the Cavaliers with a 99.9 percent chance to win the game, and the Knicks became just the second team since the 1998 playoffs to win a playoff game when trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Knicks win probability was as low as 0.1% 🤯

Teams trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since 1997-98 were 1-594 entering Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/vk7NUIilGQ

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) May 20, 2026

And after the Cavaliers’ 20-point lead reached seven minutes left in the game, New York became the first team in 644 attempts to complete this comeback with so little time on the clock.

Teams up 20+ with 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter of playoff games were 643-0 …

Until tonight.

(per @NateDuncanNBA)

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) May 20, 2026

MORE: When was the last time the Knicks one an NBA championship?

Biggest comebacks in Knicks playoff history

The Knicks were the comeback kings in 2025, completing three different 20-point comebacks in the 2025 playoff run. New York had two memorable comebacks in its second-round win over the Celtics, then had another comeback in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Pacers.

Before these two seasons, the Knicks’ biggest playoff comeback was in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA playoffs, which forced a Game 7 that New York won as well.

MORE: Which NBA teams have the most championships?

Biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history

Only one time has a team come back from down 30 points in a playoff game, as the Los Angeles Clippers hold the honor of the biggest comeback in NBA playoff history. The rest of the list is full of teams who erased deficits of 20-or-more points, mostly in the first two rounds of the postseason.

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