For the first time in 26 years, the Eastern Conference finals run through 33rd and 7th as the New York Knicks welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1.

After dismantling the 76ers in the semifinals, the Knicks enter Tuesday with a rest advantage and a raucous Garden crowd behind them.

Jalen Brunson continues his historic postseason run, but he faces a Cleveland squad that has proven to be a defensive nightmare, led by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest Eastern Conference finals news, score and analysis.

Mitchell caps off the first half in style as Cavs go into half up 48-46
By
Jake Nisse

The Knicks had led by as much as 11, but the Cavs have chipped away and Mitchell is now up to a game-high 16 points. His latest sequence of the half was tremendous.

He drilled a three off an assist from Evan Mobley, then picked off a Knicks pass on the other end with a couple of seconds remaining.

The Knicks shot just 2-of-19 from three, and some of the rust concerns seem to be well-founded thus far.

A four-point play for Mitchell!
By
Jake Nisse

Mitchell draws a foul from Bridges and successfully hoists up a three before sinking his free throw. The Cavs have cut the lead to just one.

A slow start for KAT
By
Jake Nisse

After a stretch of tremendous play against the Hawks and Sixers, we haven’t heard a ton from KAT tonight. He has two points on 1-of-4 shooting and perhaps more worryingly, his time on the bench coincided with the Knicks getting back into the game.

8-0 run for Cleveland… and the lead is down to three
By
Jake Nisse

Mike Brown whistles for a timeout as Sam Merrill and James Harden make consecutive threes to cut into the Knicks’ lead.

It’s been a mostly comfortable half for New York so far, but things can and will change quickly if Cleveland can continue to make from deep. Merrill in particular, who had 23 points in Game 7 against Detroit, could prove to be a real X-factor.

Hometown favorites
By
Jake Nisse

I must be loyle to my capo.

Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa are at the Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/L09j0PLs1t

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 20, 2026A tough whistle so far
By
Jake Nisse

Just a combined free throws for New York and Cleveland this far, much to the chagrin of Brunson and Harden, we assume. It’s made for a back-and-forth viewing experience, but not a ton of points so far.

Knicks lead by 8 at TV timeout
By
Jake Nisse

The hosts have a somewhat comfortable advantage with 7:29 remaining in the second. However, the Cavs did just break their drought from three, and Mobley is starting to get going a bit.

If they can get to the short roll out of the P&R and move the ball quickly out of that spot, they can get some good shots against this Knicks defense. pic.twitter.com/5d2WWvbIYp

— RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) May 20, 2026They can’t hit from three
By
Jake Nisse

The teams have combined for a putrid 4-of-28 from three-point range, as much of the points have come in the paint and midrange. Evan Mobley has started to get some good looks inside, but those looks will get even better if his team can make more from deep.

An ugly first quarter… but Knicks lead 23-16
By
Jake Nisse

That wasn’t the most beautiful basketball we’ve ever seen, but the Knicks put their foot on the gas following a shaky start and got some tremendous minutes out of Robinson, who is a +10 in five minutes.

Cleveland, meanwhile, got badly sped up towards the end of the quarter and have already committed five turnovers.

Plenty of time left, but not a bad start for the Knicks.

A 12-0 Knicks run and 10 points for Brunson
By
jnissenyp

The Knicks’ star player hits a midrange jumper, Robinson converts an alley oop and this one has completely flipped. MSG is on its feet after a slow start.

An early look at the action
By
Jake Nisse NBAE via Getty ImagesAP Photo/Yuki IwamuraGetty ImagesTimeout Cavs as Knicks take their first lead
By
Jake Nisse

Brunson sinks a reverse layup to give the Knicks a 14-13 lead and force Atkinson to call timeout. Robinson has made an instant impact as he picked off a Harden pass on a previous possession, which led to a Knicks score.