Getty
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks during a playoff game.
Jalen Brunson gave Knicks fans a brief moment of panic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but the star guard powered through it.
Here is everything you need to know about what happened and how the game has unfolded at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks’ Star Brunson Stays Strong After Harden Contact
GettyKnicks Hold Their Breath After Jalen Brunson Grabs Midsection
ClutchPoints posted a video of Knicks star Jalen Brunson visibly clutching his midsection after absorbing contact from James Harden in the first quarter of Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson was grabbing at his midsection after taking a shot from James Harden on this play.
He remains in the game.pic.twitter.com/ZLPKWlBmNH
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 20, 2026
The MSG audience was instantly worried about the moment; however, Brunson was nowhere near leaving the court for the locker room – in fact, he just brushed it off and went on with his game as if nothing had happened.
Brunson was still making a difference offensively and defensively, even after the scare. This level of grit is what Knicks supporters have been seeing from their captain in decisive situations during the playoffs.
Knicks Struggling From Deep, Cavs Push Back
GettyJalen Brunson Sparks Knicks Injury Scare After Taking Shot From James Harden
New York took a 23-16 lead entering the second quarter, but both teams have been ice cold from three-point range, combining for just 10-of-40 from beyond the arc in first half.
The Knicks’ offense has leaned heavily on interior scoring and defense rather than getting hot from deep, which could be a problem if it continues as Cleveland adjusts.
Donovan Mitchell led a quick-starting run for the Cavaliers, scoring seven points within the first few minutes of play to put Cleveland up early before New York’s defense tightened.
The Cavs, who actually took seven games to beat Detroit in the second round, have exhibited the sort of burst scoring that can change the series turnaround quite rapidly, and Mitchell is the main source of energy.
Besides that Harden too has really the ability to change the game’s momentum, as that first-quarter confrontation with Brunson showed, so Cleveland is definitely not going out without a fight.
OG Anunoby, who returned tonight after dealing with a right hamstring strain, has already made his presence felt on the wing for New York with a corner bucket to help push the lead into double digits.
The Knicks, the top-performing team in the Eastern Conference this postseason, have a playoff record of 8-2 coming into this series and will bank on their home court at the Garden to establish the series atmosphere.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
