Cavaliers mount a significant comeback, yet the Knicks secure the No. 3 seed.
- Dwayne
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
Darius Garland contributed 13 points in the fourth quarter on Friday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a comeback victory over the New York Knicks, overcoming a 23-point deficit from the first half to win 108-102 in what was the second-to-last regular-season game for both teams. Despite the defeat, the Knicks (50-31) secured the third seed in the Eastern Conference, thanks to the Indiana Pacers' earlier loss to the Orlando Magic, 129-115. New York holds a one-game advantage over the Pacers (49-32) and has the tiebreaker after winning their season series 2-1. The Knicks are set to face the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, commencing next week. Garland concluded the game with 26 points for the top-seeded Cavaliers (64-17), who had already secured the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed two games prior and have since rested several key players. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell missed his third consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain, while De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Sam Merrill were also sidelined after starting in Thursday's narrow 114-112 loss to the Pacers. Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Max Strus added 19 points, and Evan Mobley contributed 16 points along with 10 rebounds. Isaac Okoro (15 points) and Craig Porter Jr.
(11 points) also reached double figures off the bench. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson led with 27 points, but the team ended the season with a disappointing 1-11 record against the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets—teams that hold the top four records in the NBA. Mikal Bridges scored 17 points, while OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet each added 15 points, and Miles McBride finished with 12 points. Brunson and McBride combined for 11 points during a significant 41-18 run that spanned the first two quarters, establishing a 48-25 lead for the Knicks with 8:50 remaining in the first half. The Cavaliers managed to narrow the gap to eight points in the second quarter and three points in the third before Garland led an 11-6 run, giving Cleveland a 97-95 advantage with five minutes remaining.
