The New York Knicks continued their impressive run, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, which took place early Friday morning (Vietnam time). The victory gives the Knicks a 2-0 series lead and puts them just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
Josh Hart was the game's brightest star, scoring a playoff career-high 26 points. Hart hit 5 of 11 three-pointers, dismantling the Cavaliers' defensive scheme that had deliberately left him open on the perimeter. He also contributed seven assists.
“It was a great game from Josh,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said. Jalen Brunson recorded 19 points and 14 assists, Mikal Bridges also scored 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Knicks extend their winning streak to nine games — the longest postseason run since the Boston Celtics won 10 straight en route to the 2024 championship.
The game was tight in the first half, with the Knicks leading 53-49 at the break. However, the turning point came in the third quarter when the Knicks went on an 18-0 run, turning a 53-53 tie into a 71-53 lead. Brunson started the surge with a three-pointer, and Hart capped it with two consecutive triples. Although the Cavaliers managed to cut into the deficit, the Knicks maintained control and finished the quarter with an 18-point advantage.
In the final period, Cleveland tried to narrow the gap to single digits, but poor free-throw shooting (just 68.8%) prevented them from mounting a comeback. The Knicks then pushed the lead to 19 points and sealed the game as the crowd chanted “Knicks in four!”
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and James Harden added 18, but the visitors could not replicate their dramatic Game 1 rally. “There's nothing to be ashamed of. They defended their home court well. We've seen this before and we'll be ready for Game 3,” Mitchell said.
The Knicks now hold a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, a crucial advantage as the series moves to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday. This is the second consecutive year the Knicks have reached this stage, and they hope to advance to their first NBA Finals since losing to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
