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

Matt Vespa
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. 

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:

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!