The New York Knicks looked finished midway through the fourth quarter Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden before Mikal Bridges helped turn Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals into one of the biggest playoff comebacks in NBA history.
After trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-71 with 7:52 remaining, the Knicks stormed back for a 115-104 overtime victory behind Jalen Brunson’s 38 points and a pair of late three-pointers from Bridges.
Bridges finished with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting and knocked down two of the biggest shots of the night during New York’s closing run. After the game, he credited his teammates for helping him stay ready in pressure moments.
“Yeah. I think both of them did,” Bridges said when asked if the shots felt good leaving his hands. “Just trying to drive, make a play. I think they did a great job of denying out. And then teammates just, you know, reminded me of the shot clock, so just try to make a play.”
Bridges also pointed to Brunson’s trust on the final corner three that helped fuel the comeback.
“And then the last one just this man right here just trusting me, you know, that same side corner three and just trying to be ready and just, you know, try to make the shot,” Bridges said.
The Knicks were cold offensively for most of the night, shooting just 4-for-23 from three-point range through three quarters. Cleveland appeared in complete control before New York closed regulation on a 30-8 run and then opened overtime with nine straight points.
Brunson said the Knicks never stopped focusing on execution, even while trailing by more than 20 points late in the fourth.
“Just keep fighting, keep chipping away,” Brunson said. “You know, we’re not going to get it back in one possession.”
The All-Star guard also stressed that the Knicks were thinking beyond a single game while trying to maintain composure during the collapse.
“Most importantly, sticking together,” Brunson said. “No matter how that game finished, you know, habits translate and so they translate to the next game.”
New York’s supporting cast also played a major role in the rally. Landry Shamet scored nine points in 17 minutes, hit all three of his three-point attempts, and defended Donovan Mitchell during critical stretches.
Brunson praised Shamet’s professionalism and readiness after the game.
“He played big time. That’s just who he is,” Brunson said. “He’s a true professional ever since he’s walked into the league.”
Bridges also discussed the defensive identity he has embraced throughout his career, especially during the Knicks’ playoff run against Atlanta, Philadelphia and now Cleveland.
“Yeah, I think just how always been just trying to be a defender, make plays,” Bridges said. “It was just one of my rules to play defense to guard the best guys.”
The veteran wing added that he enjoys taking difficult defensive assignments against elite scorers.
“It’s always dope to have the challenge of guarding different guys who really skillful,” Bridges said. “From Nickeil, CJ to Maxey, PG, you know now to James and Donovan.”
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 29 points, while Evan Mobley added 15 points and 14 rebounds. James Harden finished with 15 points but shot 1-for-8 from three-point range and committed six turnovers.
The Knicks have now won eight straight playoff games and moved within three wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Game 2 is set for Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
