Mitchell condemns Cavaliers' fourth-quarter collapse in loss to Knicks
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, erasing a 93-71 deficit with 7:52 remaining in regulation. Cleveland had led by 22 points entering the final period before the Knicks completed the comeback. Star guard Donovan Mitchell called the performance a clear failure by his team.
Mitchell scored 29 points and recorded six steals in the contest. The Cavaliers controlled the game for the first three quarters before the Knicks mounted a decisive run in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The only larger fourth-quarter playoff comeback in the last 30 years occurred when the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 24-point deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round in 2012. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as New York finished the game on a 44-11 run.
The Cavaliers will face the Knicks again in Game 2 on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET as they attempt to even the series.
