Knicks decisively beat Cavaliers to take a 2-0 series lead in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference finals: Reaction and analysis

The New York Knicks have taken a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-91 Madison Square Garden tonight.

All five Knicks’ starters scored in double figures, led by Josh Hart with 26 points, seven assists, four rebounds and five made 3s. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each added 19 points. Brunson scored 17 of those points in the second half.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting while James Harden scored 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting. As a team, Cleveland shot 39 percent from the field and missed 10 free throws.

The series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday.