Knicks resurgent defense shuts down Cavaliers…
James Harden stays the face of postseason failure, capturing under 36 % from the sector (under 27 % on 3-pointers) with more turnovers (six) than assists (5) through the first two video games of the Eastern Conference finals.
Donovan Mitchell stays the face of a franchise that repeatedly fails to attain its potential, responding to Cleveland’s Game 1 collapse — in which he made one shot over the ultimate 17 minutes — by scoring seven first-half factors in Game 2.
He didn’t make his presence felt until the Cavs fell into a double-digit gap in the second half, also leaving Madison Square Garden with more turnovers (5) than assists (4) after two video games.
Karl-Anthony Towns forces James Harden into an off-balanced shot during the Knicks’ 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cavaliers on May 21, 2026 at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Cavaliers, who grew to become one of the league’s top-rated offenses after trading for Harden in February, now head back to Cleveland with the sting of Thursday’s 109-93 loss, still searching for an offensive breakthrough against a Knicks defense that has now held opponents under 100 factors on six events during their dominant postseason run.
Over the past 65 minutes of play — starting with the fourth quarter of Game 1 — the Knicks have allowed only 116 factors, having held Cleveland to 39 % capturing in Game 2, including 26 % (9-for-35) on 3-pointers.
During the Knicks’ nine-game profitable streak, they’ve allowed an average of 98.8 factors. And through 12 video games, the Knicks have posted the second-best defensive NET ranking in the postseason, barely behind the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs.
“Our defense was pretty good, especially when you have the talent that they have and the All-Stars that they have and the shooting that they have,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “We just have to keep mixing up what we do. Our guys did a pretty good job of trying to pay attention and lock in on the details on the defensive end.”
A pissed off Donovan Mitchell appears on during the Knicks’ Game 2 win over the Cavaliers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Sharpshooter Sam Merrill is 3-for-15 from the perimeter. Max Strus, who averaged practically 15 factors while serving to the Heat get rid of the Knicks in 2023, has 13 complete factors. Dennis Schröder, who shot 47.6 % on 3-pointers against the Knicks in last 12 months’s playoff sequence with the Pistons, has seven factors on 3-for-14 capturing.
Even Cleveland’s gifted bigs have been restricted.
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OG Anunoby has helped keep Jarrett Allen below his season average in both contests, while Evan Mobley — who initially induced points for the Knicks by scoring 14 first-half factors in Game 2 — was held scoreless and without a area purpose attempt in the second half.
With 10:37 left in the third quarter, the rating was tied. Then, the Knicks seized control with an 18-0 run, holding the Cavs without a level for more than 5 and a half minutes.
“We were able to get stops, run and get easy baskets,” Jalen Brunson said. “Our offense, the way we were able to play in transition, is definitely a credit to our defense.”
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