Knicks crush Cavaliers in Game 2, take commanding 2-0 lead in series behind Josh Hart's career night

The New York Knicks didn’t request a historical comeback to return Game 2 of nan Eastern Conference Finals from nan Cleveland Cavaliers connected Thursday.

Instead, it was a ascendant triumph successful regulation, 109-93, arsenic nan Knicks return a commanding 2-0 lead successful nan best-of-seven bid to Cleveland this weekend.

There was nary hangover for the Cavaliers to statesman nan game, arsenic they owned a 27-24 lead astatine nan extremity of nan first quarter. But nan Knicks recovered their measurement into nan lead by halftime.

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Josh Hart of nan New York Knicks dribbles nan shot against nan Cleveland Cavaliers during nan 3rd 4th successful Game Two of nan NBA Eastern Conference Finals astatine Madison Square Garden successful New York City connected May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

It was nan 3rd 4th wherever New York started to propulsion away, getting nan lead up to 18 points arsenic nan Madison Square Garden crowd went ballistic. The Knicks went connected an 18-0 tally astatine 1 constituent arsenic well, which was reminiscent of Game 1’s fourth-quarter comeback.

However, Cleveland wasn’t letting disconnected nan state contempt nan deficit. The Cavaliers trim nan 18-point lead successful half pinch astir 8:30 near successful nan 4th quarter, arsenic New York struggled to bargain a basket.

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But erstwhile OG Anunoby knocked down a three-pointer from nan near wing, things were backmost to normal for nan Knicks crowd.

Mikal Bridges, who had a stellar nighttime connected some ends of nan floor, deed a wide-open 3 pinch 6:12 remaining successful nan 4th that sewage nan lead backmost up to 13 for nan Knicks, and they would seashore from there.

Karl-Anthony Towns of nan New York Knicks celebrates aft making a handbasket against nan Cleveland Cavaliers during nan 3rd 4th successful Game Two of nan NBA Eastern Conference Finals astatine Madison Square Garden successful New York City connected May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson, nan team’s All-Star constituent guard, was phenomenal successful nan comeback connected Tuesday night, dropping 38 points. But Cleveland made their crippled scheme known correct distant successful this matchup, putting unit connected him to nan constituent wherever he’d beryllium giving up nan stone successful double-teams.

As a result, nan Cavaliers were good pinch Josh Hart taking shots instead. While nan scheme seemed to activity successful nan first half a bit, Hart recovered his groove successful nan 2nd and group a caller profession precocious pinch a team-high 26 points connected 10-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. He besides sewage connected nan committee pinch 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Meanwhile, Brunson tallied 19 points and dished retired a playoff career-high 14 assists for New York. And erstwhile again, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double pinch 18 points and 13 rebounds, playing efficiently for Mike Brown’s Knicks.

With nan lead backmost up to 18 for nan Knicks, each starters were pulled pinch nether 2 minutes to play, arsenic nan crowd gave their squad a opinionated ovation for a occupation good done.

The Knicks changeable 52% from nan section and only saw 14 foul shots each crippled long, but they held nan Cavaliers to conscionable 39% shooting arsenic a team. Cleveland besides grounded to capitalize connected cardinal free throws precocious successful nan game, arsenic they were successful nan prize pinch complete 9 minutes to play. As a team, they changeable conscionable 69% (22-of-32) from nan kindness stripe.

Jalen Brunson of nan New York Knicks dribbles against nan Cleveland Cavaliers during nan 3rd 4th successful Game Two of nan NBA Eastern Conference Finals astatine Madison Square Garden successful New York City connected May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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Evan Mobley besides had 14 points successful nan first half, but he curiously didn't return a azygous changeable successful nan 2nd half for Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell matched Hart's 26 points, though he changeable 8-of-18. James Harden besides went 6-of-15 for 18 points.

With nan win, nan Knicks person now won 9 consecutive playoff games.

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