Knicks beat Cavaliers 109-93 to take 2-0 lead in Eastern Conference finals

The New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 on Thursday, May 22, 2026, at Madison Square Garden to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Josh Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 points as New York posted its ninth straight postseason win, the NBA’s longest such streak since the 2024 Boston Celtics.

Jalen Brunson added 19 points and 14 assists, while Mikal Bridges scored 19. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Knicks moved two wins from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

New York seized control with an 18-0 burst in the third quarter that turned a tight game into a 71-53 lead. Hart punished Cleveland’s coverages by hitting 5 of 11 from three-point range and also impacted the game as a passer. Cleveland trimmed the margin to single digits in the fourth, but the hosts pushed it back out and closed comfortably.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points and James Harden had 18. Cleveland struggled at the foul line, finishing 68.8% and missing 10 free throws, and now trails 2-0 for the second consecutive series. Game 3 is in Cleveland on Saturday.

Knicks seize 2-0 control at home

Hart’s shooting lifts New York

Hart entered the night having struggled from long range in recent games, but he kept shooting and broke through, finishing 5-for-11 from deep with a playoff career high in points. He also handed out seven assists to round out one of his most complete postseason performances. Brunson, who powered New York’s 22-point fourth-quarter comeback in Game 1 with 38 points, shifted roles in Game 2 by orchestrating the offense and posting a playoff-high 14 assists.

The third-quarter run featured contributions across the lineup. Brunson opened the burst with a three-pointer, added two more field goals in the stretch, and Hart buried a pair of threes to cap it at 71-53. Towns’ size on the glass and Bridges’ shot-making helped the Knicks sustain the cushion when the Cavaliers briefly threatened in the fourth.

Cleveland seeks a response in Game 3

Mitchell, Harden lead but misses loom

Mitchell started slowly before finding rhythm, finishing with a team-high 26, and Harden added 18 as Cleveland tried to claw back late. But missed free throws undercut the comeback, and the Cavaliers’ best surge could only reduce the deficit to single digits. The Knicks eventually pushed their advantage to as many as 19 as the Garden crowd sensed the result was secure.

Series shifts to Cleveland on Saturday

Cleveland faces a 2-0 hole for the second straight round, returning home needing sharper execution at the line and answers for New York’s perimeter shot-making. The Knicks, in the East finals for a second consecutive year, carry a nine-game playoff win streak and are two victories from their first NBA Finals since 1999.

Game 3 on Saturday will test whether Cleveland can reset at home or if New York’s streak and balance can keep the series tilting toward a long-awaited finals return.