Knicks lead 2-0 in Eastern Finals after win over Cavs

The New York Knicks secured a significant victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 109-93 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. This win marked the Knicks' second straight triumph in the Eastern Conference finals, giving them a 2-0 series lead and bringing them two wins away from their first NBA finals appearance since 1999.

Josh Hart spearheaded the Knicks' offensive efforts, recording a playoff career-high of 26 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed with 19 points and 14 assists. Mikal Bridges added another 19 points, with Karl-Anthony Towns supporting the effort with 18 points and 13 rebounds. With this victory, the Knicks extended their winning streak to nine games, the longest postseason win streak since the Boston Celtics had 10 consecutive wins on their way to the 2024 championship.

Hart’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he went 5 of 11 from three-point range and recorded seven assists. Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised Hart's strong game, stating, "Just a whale of a game from Josh."

After a remarkable comeback from a 22-point deficit two nights prior, the Knicks ensured control of the game with a remarkable 18-0 run during the third quarter that established a 71-53 lead. As the game neared its conclusion, the crowd began chanting “Knicks in four!” in support of their team.

Despite the strong performance from the Knicks, the Cavaliers were not without their contributions. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 26 points, while James Harden added 18 points. However, they fell behind 2-0 in the series for the second consecutive round. Mitchell expressed confidence going forward, saying, "Nothing to hang our head about. They protected home court, and we’ve seen this before, so we’re going to go to Game 3."

The series will shift to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday, where the Cavaliers will seek to bounce back and even the series. The Knicks, who are making their second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, continue to aim for their first championship title since 1999.