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NEW YORK — The Cavaliers sought redemption against the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday, May 21, at Madison Square Garden.
They didn’t get it. Instead, they again find themselves in an 0-2 series hole after the Knicks won 109-93.
In Game 1, the Cavs blew a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter on their way to a 115-104 overtime loss. They never had a large lead to blow in Game 2, as the Knicks controlled the entire second half.
The basketball world wondered whether the Game 1 colossal collapse would break Cleveland in this best-of-seven playoff series. The Cavs didn’t look like a broken team early on when they held various first-half leads. Still, like the previous series against Detroit, the Cavs will need to overcome an 0-2 deficit to win the series.
Here’s how Game 2 unfolded through our live updates:
Knicks beat Cavs in Game 2
The Knicks have won Game 2 109-93 to build a 2-0 series lead. The Cavs offense never put together a string of shots to challenge New York and Max Strus fouled out late in the game.
Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the floor to go with four rebounds and one assist. James Harden had 18 points (6-of-15 shooting), six rebounds and two assists.
The Cavs were crushed 32-15 in assists, and their bench totaled only 19 points.
Donovan Mitchell picks up fifth foul
Donovan Mitchell just picked up his fifth personal foul with 4:02 left, which might be a major problem for Cleveland as the Knicks try to set up their matchups on the offensive end.
Jalen Brunson hit both ensuing free throws and then added a layup after a James Harden miss, and the Knicks now lead 103-86 with 3:18 to go.
Cavs trail Knicks by 13 midway through fourth quarter
The Cavs need a run, as they’re down 95-82 midway through the fourth quarter. After this timeout, they’ll have the big four and Max Strus on the floor.
Cleveland just left Mikal Bridges wide open for a corner 3, as he had plenty of time to set his feet and hit the shot.
Cavs open fourth quarter on run to close gap vs Knicks
The Cavs are punching back, and an 8-0 run momentarily made it a seven-point game before OG Anunoby hit a 3 to end the stretch and put the Knicks up 88-78 with 8:30 left.
Donovan Mitchell continues to score at a high clip, as he’s now up to 23 points, though he also has four personal fouls, which is now something to watch the rest of the way. James Harden, meanwhile, has disappeared and has zero points since halftime on 0-for-3 shooting from the floor.
And Josh Hart is checking back into the game for the Knicks.
What’s the Cavs score vs Knicks entering fourth quarter?
The Cavs have a lot of work to do, now down 85-70 at the end of the third quarter.
New York outscored Cleveland 32-21 in that third quarter. Donovan Mitchell did look a bit better, as he’s now up to 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the floor, but he hasn’t looked as explosive.
Notably, Josh Hart did head to the locker room near the end of the quarter.
Who’s winning the Cavs-Knicks game?
The Cavs trail the Knicks 71-58 with 4:22 left in the third quarter.
The Knicks went on another massive run, this one 18-0 before Max Strus hit a 3, to take control of Game 2. The Cavs are just 4-for-14 shooting from the floor and 1 for 6 from 3-point range.
Josh Hart looked like he tweaked his ankle and was limping around, but he remained in the game and hit one of two free throws and then a 3.
Also of note, Max Strus is now up to for four personal fouls.
Knicks go on run vs Cavs
The Knicks are on a 9-0 run and are now up 62-53 early in the third quarter, leading to a quick Cavs timeout.
Jalen Brunson has come alive a bit with five points early in the quarter.
What’s the Cavs-Knicks score at halftime?
The Knicks will take a 53-49 lead into halftime of Game 2.
James Harden had a strong first half with 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting with three rebounds and zero turnovers. Donovan Mitchell, though, still looks timid to drive with the ball and has seven points. Evan Mobley has a game-high 14 points with four rebounds and a block.
The Knicks already have three players in double-figures, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 13 points. Josh Hart has 12 points and Mikal Bridges is at 10.
Jalen Brunson, the hero of Game 1, has been extremely quiet, scoring just two points on 1-for-6 shooting from the floor.
Knicks lead Cavs late in first half of Game 2
The Cavs trail the Knicks 45-40 with under three minutes to go in the first half.
Evan Mobley has looked really strong yet again, as he has a game-high 14 points on 5-for- from the floor with three rebounds and a block. He’s truly played his best basketball in these playoffs, and especially as of late.
Cavs, Knicks score as Game 2 tied in second quarter
The Cavs and Knicks are tied 31-31 with 9:21 left in the second quarter.
Donovan Mitchell hasn’t been going downhill nearly as much as he did in the Pistons series, and it’s beginning to become a real question as to whether he’s dealing with an ankle injury or some other ailment, though he and the Cavs haven’t noted anything, and when asked, Mitchell has said he’s fine.
The Cavs continue to crush the Knicks with offensive rebounds, as they’re now already up to seven, including one at the rim by Max Strus, of all people.
Jaylon Tyson, who didn’t play at all in Game 1, is now on the floor in the second quarter.
Donovan Mitchell gives Cavs the lead after first quarter of Game 2 vs Knicks
The Cavs will take a 27-24 lead into the second quarter of Game 2.
Mitchell Robinson is really hurting the Knicks’ momentum, and Cleveland is capitalizing. On defense, the Cavs grabbed five offensive rebounds, many of them right over Robinson. On offense, Robinson is 0-for-4 from the free throw line and is giving the Cavs a real strategy whenever he’s on the floor to simply send him to the line.
Mitchell had been quiet before that 3, scoring just one point unti the final second of the first quarter.
Cavs, Knicks Game 2 score update as Jarrett Allen, Karl-Anthony Towns go back and forth
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jarrett Allen are really battling on every possession near the rim, and the Cavs currently lead the Knicks 20-19 with 3:39 left in the first quarter.
Allen already has six points and six rebounds. Towns has seven points and just got a few really tough shots to fall and keep the Knicks within one.
What’s the Cavs score vs Knicks in game 2?
The Cavs hold a 15-11 lead over the Knicks with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter.
The Knicks took almost an instant 5-0 lead via a Jalen Brunson floater (after he blew by James Harden) and an errant Dean Wade in-bounds pass that led to a Karl-Anthony Towns 3-pointer.
The Cavs responded with an 8-0 run, led by five points from Evan Mobley.
Cleveland is up 15-11 with zero points from Donovan Mitchell, who hasn’t been very active yet. On defense, the Cavs keep leaving Josh Hart wide open from behind the 3-point line, and he’s still 0-for-3.
Below is some pregame information.
Who does the winner of the Cavs-Knicks series play in the NBA Finals?
Whichever team seizes the East’s crown will advance to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs for the NBA title. The Western Conference Finals are tied 1-1.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Game 2. Cavs playoffs TV channel and streaming info for Eastern Conference Finals
Game 2 between the Cavs and Knicks will be televised nationally by ESPN.
Cavs radio station info
The local radio broadcast of Game 2 can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM). The national radio broadcast can be heard via ESPN Radio.
Cavs vs Knicks Game 2 injury report
The Cavs did not list any players on their injury report for Game 2.
Cavs vs Knicks Game 2 starting lineup
Knicks vs Cavs Game 2 injury report
The Knicks did not list any players on their injury report for Game 2.
Knicks vs Cavs Game 2 starting lineup
Cavs vs. Knicks last game | Looking back at Game 1
The Knicks erased a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cavs 44-11 over the final 12-plus minutes to win 115-104 in overtime. Jalen Brunson scored 38 to lead the Knicks, as he took over during the New York comeback. Mikal Bridges added 18 points and three other Knicks scored 13 points apiece — Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. Donovan Mitchell’s 29 points led the Cavs. Five other Cavs scored double figures — Evan Mobley (15), James Harden (15), Sam Merrill (12), Jarrett Allen (10) and Dean Wade (10).
What was the Cavs’ record against the Knicks in the 2025-26 regular season?
The Cavs went 1-2 against the Knicks in the 2025-26 regular season.
Cavs playoff schedule. When do the Cavaliers and Knicks play next?
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round results:
Here are the first-round results:
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Cavs playoff history vs. New York Knicks
The Cavs have never defeated the Knicks in a playoff series. Entering this year’s Eastern Conference Finals, Cleveland’s all-time postseason record against New York was 2-12.
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at BJSports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers score vs Knicks. New York needs no comeback in Game 2 win
Reporting by Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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