The New York Knicks trailed by 17 points in the fourth quarter before point guard Jalen Brunson came through in a big way. Brunson’s 13-point fourth quarter helped lead the Knicks to a dramatic 126-124 comeback win.
Brunson finished the game with 34 points and 4 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled against Cleveland’s twin-tower lineup. KAT had 11 points but scored a crucial last-minute putback to help seal the game for the Knicks.
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Despite another 30-point performance from last year’s NBA Clutch Player of the Year, the Knicks’ bench played a key role in the comeback. What was once an Achilles’ heel for the Knicks during the Tom Thibodeau era has become an asset under head coach Mike Brown. 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson finished the game with 25 points and 5 threes.
Second-year point guard Tyler Kolek had another strong showing, contributing 16 points, 9 assists, and going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Reserve center Mitchell Robinson may not have scored, but his 13 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards, kept possessions alive.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists for a double-double. Evan Mobley finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds off the bench in his first game back from a five-game absence due to a Grade 1 left calf strain. Jaylon Tyson also added 16 points off the bench.
Despite the close score, both teams are heading in opposite directions. The Knicks currently sit second in the East at 21-9. They are the Emirates NBA Cup champions, and their 15-2 home record only trails OKC.
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The Cavaliers are 17-15, ranking seventh in the East. They’ve gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Knicks will play the Hawks in their next game on Saturday, while the Cavaliers will face the Houston Rockets on the same day.