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Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers are facing the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN.<\/p>\n
Enjoy the best of the\u00a02026 NBA Playoffs<\/a>, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Tuesday\u2019s action.<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s action features the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, coming to you live from Madison Square Garden on ESPN.<\/p>\n What we know about Tuesday\u2019s game:<\/p>\n The team that wins Game 1 of the Conference Finals has gone on to win the series 78.2% of the time in NBA history. MAY 19, 2026 \/ 11:00 ET<\/p>\n \u2018The fans dancing with joy\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThey have watched one of the greatest comeback in NBA history,\u201d said Mike Breen. \u201cKnicks take Game 1 behind the brilliance of Jalen Brunson.\u201d<\/p>\n The Knicks outscored the Cavs 44-11 in the last 7:40 of the fourth quarter and overtime, earning a 115-104 comeback win to defend Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:50 ET<\/p>\n Shamet tosses a dagger<\/p>\n Brunson finds Landry Shamet (9 pts) for a 3-pointer, lifting the Knicks to a 110-101 lead with 1:49 to go.<\/p>\n SHAMET EXTENDS NEW YORK’S LEAD\ud83c\udfaf<\/p>\n 6-POINT LEAD IN GAME 1 WITH UNDER 2 MINUTES TO PLAY IN OT ON ESPN! pic.twitter.com\/uSUHXKm418<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:48 ET<\/p>\n Brunson on the attack<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson (38 pts) keeps driving at James Harden, and the Knicks keep finding space.<\/p>\n 107-101 with 2:56 remaining in overtime.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:42 ET<\/p>\n Overtime in New York<\/p>\n What just happened?<\/p>\n James Harden (15 pts) knocked down a jumper in the lane, followed by a layup from Jalen Brunson (36 pts) to knot it at 101. Sam Merrill had a look to take it for the Cavs, but it was no good.<\/p>\n The Knicks were down by 22 with 7:40 to go \u2014 doesn\u2019t matter now.<\/p>\n For the second straight night, we\u2019re headed to overtime in the Conference Finals.<\/p>\n NEW YORK WENT ON A 30-8 TO FORCE OT \ud83d\udca8<\/p>\n SHAMET TIES IT. \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:40 ET<\/p>\n Bedlam in MSG<\/p>\n Landry Shamet\u2019s 3-pointer bounced all around the rim and fell through, tying the game at 99 with 44 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n They\u2019re jumping up-and-down in the stands at Madison Square Garden!<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:37 ET<\/p>\n Knicks have it to four<\/p>\n 97-93 with 2:08 remaining, as Mikal Bridges (15 pts) knocks down a 3-pointer to prompt an eruption from the crowd.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers are 3-of-11 from the field in the period, while the Knicks are 10-of-18.<\/p>\n Can the Knicks get over the hump? Tune in to ESPN to find out.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:31 ET<\/p>\n Knicks on a 15-1 run<\/p>\n 94-86 Cavaliers with 4:31 to go, as the Knicks battle back behind Jalen Brunson (31 pts on 25 shots).<\/p>\n They\u2019re attacking James Harden in the half court, freeing up the Knicks\u2019 captain.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the Garden has come alive!\u201d Mike Breen said. \u201cThe Brunson burner has been lit!\u201d<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:22 ET<\/p>\n Knicks find a little life<\/p>\n 93-76 Cleveland with 6:41 remaining, as Landry Shamet hits a 3-pointer to give the Knicks a bit of hope.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a tough night for OG Anunoby (3 pts on 5 shots) and Miles McBride (0 pts on 1 shot), while Karl-Anthony Towns (11 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 6 turnovers) and Jalen Brunson (23 pts on 21 shots) have ground their way to competence for the Knicks\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n If they\u2019re going to rally, someone\u2019s going to have to step up in front of this Garden crowd.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:08 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers up 83-69 after three<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell (26 pts on 17 shots) has it going, as Cleveland takes its largest lead of the game into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n The Cavs won the turnover battle in the third 5-3; the Knicks are still struggling from long range, going 4-of-23 (17.4%) from 3-point range.<\/p>\n New York\u2019s shooting just hasn\u2019t stabilized in this game \u2014 only Mikal Bridges (12 pts on 5-of-7 shooting) is having an above-average night.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re missing some good shots,\u201d said Josh Hart. \u201cThe way to combat that is to get some stops defensively, play fast.\u201d<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 10:00 ET<\/p>\n Mitch Rob at the line<\/p>\n The Cavaliers turned to intentionally fouling Mitchell Robinson, who went 2-of-8 from the line, in the last few minutes. Robinson\u2019s a career 50.8% free throw shooter.<\/p>\n Kenny Atkinson\u2019s helped his team take control in this third period, as the Cavaliers open up a 83-68 lead with 11.9 remaining in the quarter.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 9:53 ET<\/p>\n Cavs keep going<\/p>\n The Cavs have the Knicks scrambling, taking a 74-63 lead with 3:18 remaining in the third.<\/p>\n Sam Merrill has opened things up for Cleveland, while James Harden (9 pts) and Jarrett Allen (8 pts) are finding \u00a0space in the lane.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re carving them with dribble penetration,\u201d said Tim Legler. \u201cKnicks having a very difficult time with containment.\u201d<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 9:40 ET<\/p>\n Cavs take largest lead<\/p>\n 63-54 with 7:08 to go in the third quarter, as Donovan Mitchell (22 pts, 6 stl) gets a steal and goes coast-to-coast for a layup.<\/p>\n The Knicks were harassing the Cavs early, but they\u2019ve found their flow on the road. They\u2019re gashing them with easy buckets to start the quarter.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 9:15 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers up 48-46 at the half<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell (16 pts on 9 shots) scored seven points in the last 2:01 as part of a 21-8 run that earned the Cavs a lead at the break.<\/p>\n Spida gives Cleveland the lead \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n He’s got 16 PTS at the break!<\/p>\n Cavs lead by 2 in Game 1 \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/LN5KmMiC7e<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Knicks are have a 32-16 lead in points in the paint and an 11-7 turnover advantage, but the Cavaliers found their touch from 3-point range, hitting 8-of-21 (38.1%).<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson (14 pts) leads the way for the Knicks, who are 2-of-19 (10.5%) from 3-point range.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 9:00 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers on an 8-0 run<\/p>\n 38-35 Knicks with 4:25 to go in the second quarter, as Sam Merrill (6 pts) and James Harden (7 pts) hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Cavaliers.<\/p>\n Cleveland may be settling in on the road here.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 8:48 ET<\/p>\n Hart on the attack<\/p>\n Josh Hart (6 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) has given the Knicks a spark so far, as they take a 31-22 lead with 8:23 remaining in the half.<\/p>\n Former Cavalier Jordan Clarkson also gave New York a boost, making his first 3-pointer of the Playoffs and earning a team-high +12 mark.<\/p>\n MAY 19, 2026 \/ 8:41 ET<\/p>\n Knicks up 23-16 after one<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson (10 pts) is getting buckets early, while the Knicks defense held the Cavs to 27.3% shooting in the first quarter.<\/p>\n the burner is lit.<\/p>\n 8 PTS and counting for 11 \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/We4wWPz2dJ<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 4-1 in the first round of the 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs.
\nNew York is 12-2 all-time against Cleveland in the Playoffs.<\/p>\n
HARDEN FOR THE LEAD.
BRUNSON TIES IT AGAIN. https:\/\/t.co\/ksw9IBlypq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Dj0oW01DX7<\/a><\/p>\n
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