Playoff intensity was on full display from the opening minutes, as the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks wasted no time turning up the heat in Game Two of their series.
Tensions boiled over early, with Aussie guard Dyson Daniels going face-to-face with Mitchell Robinson after a moment Daniels viewed as disrespectful.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers surged to a 2-0 series lead, powered by a combined 58 points from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in a 115-105 Game Two win over the Toronto Raptors.
Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream the best of the NBA Playoffs. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Read on for a full NBA playoffs wrap!
‘WALKED OVER THE TOP OF HIM’: AUSSIE FIRES UP AT RIVAL
Tempers flared early between Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson, with the pair clashing with 1:01 left in the first quarter.
Robinson was called for an offensive foul after setting an illegal screen on Daniels, then stepped over him on the floor. Daniels took exception to the move and quickly confronted the Knicks big man, sparking a brief scuffle.
“Dyson Daniels did not like that fact the he [Robinson] walked over the top of him!”
NBA commentator Noah Eagle said, reacting to the incident over the disrespectful act from Robinson.
“Robinson has been known to certainly be willing”
Following a review, Robinson was issued a technical foul for the incident.
The New York Knicks set the tone on the scoreboard, opening up a 32-23 lead over the Atlanta Hawks at quarter time.
Mitchell Robinson stands over Dyson Daniels after an illegal screen.Source: gettyDyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson get into a confrontation resulting in a technical foul to Robinson.Source: getty
CAVS TAKE COMMANDING 2-0 SERIES LEAD
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 58 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-105 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Tuesday.
Fourth seeds Cleveland, convincing 126-113 victors in game one of the series on Sunday, once again proved too strong for fifth-seeded Toronto as they powered to a wire-to-wire victory.
Mitchell finished with 30 points including four three-pointers while Harden finished with 28 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Evan Mobley also had a big night for Cleveland, weighing in with 25 points from an efficient 11-of-13 shooting display.
For the Raptors, Brandon Ingram had himself a rough night, scoring just 7 points, shooting 3/15 from the field while Scottie Barnes poured in a team high 26 points.
*** BESTPIX *** CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 18: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the first quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The Cavs’ victory provided more evidence that the offensive partnership between Mitchell and the 36-year-old Harden, who was traded to the team in February, is blossoming at the right time for Cleveland.
“He’s been doing it a little bit longer than me but we’ve still been doing it for a long time — just trying to find ways to win,” Mitchell said of Harden.
“Whether it’s passing, it’s rebounding, getting stops — when you have two guys who are trying to chase the same thing, it definitely helps for sure,” Mitchell added.
Toronto’s scoring was led by Scottie Barnes with 26 points while RJ Barrett added 22.
Game three of the series takes place in Toronto on Friday.
