NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The New York Knicks didn’t need a historic comeback to take Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
Instead, it was a dominant victory in regulation, 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 led 27-24 at the end of the first quarter. But the Knicks found a way to go ahead at halftime.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
It was the third quarter where New York began to pull away, taking an 18-point lead as the Madison Square Garden crowd went wild. The Knicks went on an 18-0 run at one point, reminiscent of the Game 1 comeback in the fourth quarter.
However, Cleveland did not let up despite the deficit. The Cavaliers took an 18-point lead into the half with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter, as New York struggled to buy the basket.
KNICKS STORM BACK TO SHOCK CAVS IN GAME 1 AS JAMES HARDEN’S DEFENSE PLAYS DOWN
But when OG Anunoby hit a three-pointer from the left wing, things were back to normal for the Knicks crowd.
Mikhal Bridges, who had a terrific night on both ends of the floor, hit a wide-open three with 6:12 left in the fourth to get the Knicks up to 13, and they would coast from there.
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Jalen Brunson, the All-Star guard, was magnificent in his return on Tuesday night, dropping 38 points. But Cleveland made their game plan known right from the start of this game, putting pressure on him until he gave up the rock to both teams.
As a result, the Cavaliers were fine with Josh Hart taking the shot instead. While the system seemed to work a little in the first half, Hart found his groove in the second and set a new career high with a team-high 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. He also got on the board with seven assists, four rebounds and two rebounds.
During that time, Brunson tallied 19 points and dished out a playoff-high 14 against New York. And again, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, playing well for Mike Brown’s Knicks.
With the Knicks back to 18, all starters were pulled with less than two minutes to play, as the crowd applauded their team for a job well done.
The Knicks shot 52% from the field and saw just 14 foul shots a game long, but held the Cavaliers to just 39% shooting as a team. Cleveland also failed to use key free throws late in the game, as they were in the bonus with more than nine minutes left to play. As a team, they shot just 69% (22-of-32) from the free throw line.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks drives past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 21, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Evan Mobley also had 14 points in the first half, but luckily he didn’t take a single shot in the second half for Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell matched Hart’s 26 points, though he shot 8-of-18. James Harden also went 6-of-15 for 18 points.
With the win, the Knicks have now won nine consecutive playoff games.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.
