Knicks take commanding 2-0 series lead over Cavaliers with 109-93 win

The New York Knicks did not need a historic comeback to win Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

Instead, it was a dominant regulation victory, 109-93, as the Knicks took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against Cleveland this weekend.

There was no hangover for the Cavaliers to start the game, as they held a 27-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Knicks took the lead at halftime.

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Josh Hart of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

It was in the third quarter that New York began to pull ahead, building the lead to as many as 18 points as the Madison Square Garden crowd went crazy. The Knicks also went on an 18-0 run at one point, not unlike Game 1’s comeback in the fourth quarter.

However, Cleveland did not let up on the gas despite the deficit. The Cavaliers cut their 18-point lead in half with about 8:30 left in the fourth quarter, as New York struggled to buy a basket.

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But once OG Anunoby nailed a three-pointer from the left wing, things returned to normal for the Knicks crowd.

Mikal Bridges, who had a stellar night on both ends of the court, hit a wide-open three with 6:12 left in the fourth that cut the lead to 13 for the Knicks, and they continued from there.

Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson, the team’s All-Star point guard, was phenomenal in the comeback Tuesday night, dropping 38 points. But Cleveland immediately made its game plan known in this game, putting pressure on him to the point where he would give up the rock in double teams.

As a result, the Cavaliers were OK with Josh Hart taking shots instead. While the plan seemed to work somewhat in the first half, Hart found his rhythm in the second and set a new career high with a team-high 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-11 three-pointers. He also recorded seven assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Meanwhile, Brunson had 19 points and dished out a career-high 14 assists in the playoffs for New York. And once again, Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, playing effectively for Mike Brown’s Knicks.

With the lead stretching back to 18 for the Knicks, all starters were pulled with less than two minutes to play, as the crowd gave their team a standing ovation for a job well done.

The Knicks shot 52% from the field and saw just 14 foul shots throughout the game, but they held the Cavaliers to just 39% shooting as a team. Cleveland also failed to capitalize on key free throws late in the game, as they were in the bonus with over nine minutes left. As a team, they shot just 69 percent (22 of 32) from the charity stripe.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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Evan Mobley also scored 14 points in the first half, but oddly enough, he didn’t make a single shot in the second half for Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell matched Hart’s 26 points, although he shot 8 of 18. James Harden also went 6 of 15 for 18 points.

With this victory, the Knicks have now won nine straight playoff games.

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