Knicks take 2-0 series lead with 109-93 win over Cavs behind Josh Hart’s playoff career-high 26 points [VIDEO]
New York seizes 2-0 series lead with dominant 18-0 third-quarter run, extend postseason winning streak to nine games
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 in Game 2 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals last night at Madison Square Garden. Josh Hart led the way with a playoff career-high 26 points, going 5-of-11 from three-point range, as New York took a 2-0 series lead.
The game featured six lead changes and nine ties. After the Cavaliers tied the score at 53-53 with the first two baskets of the third quarter, the Knicks responded with a decisive 18-0 run that turned the game into a 71-53 rout. New York never trailed again.
With the victory, the Knicks extended their postseason winning streak to nine games. This is the longest active streak in the NBA and the longest since the 2024 Boston Celtics’ run. Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and a postseason-high 14 assists (the most by a Knicks player in a playoff game since 1998), while Mikal Bridges added 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 18 points and 13 rebounds. All five Knicks starters finished in double figures.
Josh Hart’s Career Night Powers Knicks Offense
Last night, Josh Hart delivered a playoff career-high 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. He added 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in a complete performance. This surpassed his previous playoff high of 24 points, set earlier in the 2026 postseason.
Hart’s breakout scoring provided essential secondary production behind Jalen Brunson’s playmaking. His ability to hit open threes and make plays off the ball gave the Knicks a more balanced offensive attack that Cleveland had trouble matching.
The Knicks shot an efficient 51.8% from the field (44-of-85) and 36.1% from three-point range (13-of-36). They committed only 6 turnovers while recording 32 assists, showcasing strong ball movement and decision-making.
In contrast, the Cavaliers struggled offensively, shooting 38.8% from the field (31-of-80) and 25.7% from three (9-of-35). Their difficulties were most apparent with James Harden on the court. Cleveland was outscored by 22 points during his 32 minutes. Harden finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, but the team could not sustain consistent offense around him.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting, yet he received limited help as the offense stagnated for extended stretches.
An 18-0 Run in the Third Quarter Broke the Game Open
The Cavaliers began the second half strong, scoring the first two baskets to tie the game at 53-53. However, the Knicks responded with a commanding 18-0 run that shifted momentum decisively. The surge pushed the lead to 71-53 and forced Cleveland to call a timeout. From that point forward, the Cavaliers never regained the lead.
New York dominated the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 32-21. The Knicks shot efficiently at 13-of-23 from the field and 5-of-10 from three-point range. In contrast, the Cavaliers managed just 7-of-20 shooting and had difficulty creating quality looks against New York’s active switching defense.
The Knicks frequently targeted James Harden in switches, with Jalen Brunson and other perimeter players exploiting the matchups. This defensive approach, combined with sharp ball movement, allowed New York to pull away.
In the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers made several pushes to cut the deficit to single digits. Each time, the Knicks answered with timely scoring. A late 17-7 run sealed the outcome, allowing New York to rest its starters in the final minutes as the Madison Square Garden crowd chanted “Knicks in four!”
Cleveland’s Shooting Woes Continued From Game 1
The Cavaliers’ offensive struggles from Game 1 carried over into Game 2. Cleveland shot just 31-of-80 from the field (38.8%) and 9-of-35 from three-point range (25.7%). After blowing a 22-point lead in the series opener, the Cavaliers needed a strong response on the road. Instead, they fell into a 2-0 series deficit heading back to Cleveland.
Evan Mobley provided a solid effort with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Jarrett Allen contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. However, the supporting cast struggled to deliver consistent production. The Cavaliers’ bench and role players had limited impact, and the team recorded only 15 assists on 31 made field goals — a clear indication of stagnant ball movement and poor offensive flow.
Despite the setback, Cleveland has shown resilience earlier in the postseason. The Cavaliers overcame a 0-2 deficit against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, winning four straight games to advance. In postgame comments, Donovan Mitchell and his teammates pointed to that experience, emphasizing that the series remains far from over. Still, the path to a comeback has become significantly more challenging after dropping both games at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson’s 14 Assists Mark Postseason Career High
Jalen Brunson recorded a postseason career-high 14 assists in Game 2 — the most by a Knicks player in a playoff game since 1998. He also scored 19 points, with 17 of those coming in the second half, including several key baskets immediately after the Cavaliers tied the game at 53-53 early in the third quarter.
Brunson’s elite playmaking kept the Knicks’ offense operating smoothly even on nights when his shot was not falling consistently. His vision and decision-making helped create open opportunities for teammates like Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the contest.
New York committed just 6 turnovers as a team, with Brunson maintaining a low personal turnover count. This ball security, combined with crisp spacing and movement, allowed the Knicks to generate high-quality looks that overwhelmed Cleveland’s defense.
Brunson has now played a central role in the Knicks’ nine-game postseason winning streak. The run includes a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and two victories over the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals. New York has not lost a game since April 29, with Brunson leading the way as both scorer and facilitator.
The Knicks’ Dominance is the Enigma for Viewers on X
The final score quickly generated strong engagement across social media platforms, particularly on X. Knicks fans celebrated the team’s dominant performance, highlighting the nine-game postseason winning streak and the commanding 2-0 series advantage.
Many supporters pointed to standout individual efforts, with one user posting: “Nine straight playoff wins. This team is different.” Another wrote: “Josh Hart playoff career high. Brunson 14 assists. Knicks in four is real.”
Cavaliers fans expressed disappointment with Cleveland’s shooting struggles and supporting cast performance. One user noted: “Harden -22 in 32 minutes. That’s not winning basketball.” Another commented: “Mitchell needs help. Mobley and Allen can’t be the only ones showing up.” Some fans remained optimistic, referencing the team’s previous comeback from a 0-2 deficit against the Detroit Pistons.
Additional reactions focused on the intensity of the series, with comments on the physical style of play and the electric atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. One post stated: “Knicks are playing playoff basketball. Cavs are playing regular season basketball.” Another added: “The Garden was rocking. Cleveland is in trouble.”
Cleveland’s Back is Against the Wall, as They Head Home for Game 3
The Eastern Conference Finals shift to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday, May 23. After dropping both games at Madison Square Garden, the Cavaliers now face a critical must-win situation on their home floor. No team in NBA playoff history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, meaning a loss in Game 3 would leave Cleveland on the brink of elimination.
The Cavaliers have demonstrated resilience earlier in these playoffs. They overcame a 0-2 deficit against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, winning four consecutive games to advance. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will likely need to lead a similar effort if Cleveland hopes to extend the series and avoid an early exit.
For the Knicks, the path forward is straightforward. With a 2-0 series lead and a nine-game postseason winning streak, New York holds momentum and home-court advantage from the first two games. The team has not lost since April 29 and has shown strong balance across all facets of play in the series so far.