The Knicks Had a O.1 Percent Chance of Winning This Game...and Then History Was Made

Matt Vespa | May 20, 2026 6:00 AM

What a win.

That’s all I can say. One that will go down in history. Last night was Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off their seven-game series victory over the Detroit Pistons, thought they would take a game at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks looked off, just like a team that hadn’t played in nine days. The defense was sloppy, the offense out of rhythm. They were down 22 points with eight minutes left in the game. The Garden was silent, and then it became Eden, the scene of one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history.

THE LARGEST PLAYOFF COMEBACK IN NEW YORK KNICKS HISTORY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Wx7x7bkUJO
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 20, 2026

🚨 THE KNICKS JUST MADE HISTORY 🚨

New York came back from down 22 to win Game 1 & completed the largest 4th Quarter comeback in the FRANCHISE HISTORY 🤯🤯🤯
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) May 20, 2026

The largest comeback EVER by the Knicks

This team keeps making history pic.twitter.com/B7lql2dl9p
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) May 20, 2026

Knicks 22-point comeback win is their largest in playoff franchise history.

It’s also the second-largest fourth quarter comeback by any team in the play-by-play era, trailing only the Clippers 24-point comeback in 2012 West First Round (since 1996-97)
— Knicks Stats (@NY_Knicks_Stats) May 20, 2026

Sorry, Cavs fans—there's nothing more to say. It was a complete collapse, a historic one. The Knicks had just a 0.1 percent chance of winning. Then Jalen Brunson took over, leading the team with clutch support from Landry Shamet off the bench, and orchestrating a wild 44-11 run that took the game into overtime and secured the victory for New York. Yes, most of the game—about three quarters—saw the Cavaliers dominating the defense as they carved up New York, but they couldn't close it out. The Knicks woke up and secured the largest playoff comeback in the Knicks’ franchise history:

NEW YORK WENT ON A 44-11 RUN TO COMPLETE A 22-POINT COMEBACK WIN IN GAME 1 💨

DOWN 22 WITH UNDER 8 TO PLAY IN Q4.
30-8 RUN TO FORCE OT.
WON BY 11.

1-0 SERIES LEAD IN THE EAST FINALS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/0InzFeaG4M
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2026

According to ESPN Analytics, the Knicks win probability was as low as 0.1% 🤯

Teams trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since 1997-98 were 1-594 entering Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/vk7NUIilGQ
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) May 20, 2026

The @nyknicks ended tonight's game on a 44-11 run.

No other NBA team in the last 20 years has scored at least 44 of the game's final 55 points (reg or post). pic.twitter.com/tz06fXYxdt
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 20, 2026

Adjustments are coming for both teams. It's going to be a slog. This series could be electric.

Either way, let’s go, Knicks. New York in six, maybe five. Let's go!