The New York Knicks beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland to take Game 1 of the first round of the NBA’s Eastern Conference… marking their first road win after 24 years
- Jalen Bronson scored 27 points and Julius Randle 19 for the winning Knicks
- The win in Cleveland was the Knicks’ first road victory after 24 years
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Jalen Bronson pulled off foul tackles and scored 21-of-27 in the second half as the New York Knicks greeted the Cleveland Cavaliers back into the NBA playoffs by shutting them down 101-97 Saturday night in Game 1.
Bronson was limited to nine minutes in the first half, but hit several big shots down the stretch as the Knicks turned a late Cleveland rally led by Donovan Mitchell.
Julius Randle was in question until his pre-match warm-up, when he tested his left ankle, which had been sprained for two weeks. The All-Star forward looked like himself with 19 points while rushing the 5-ranked Knicks, who trailed 93-92 with 2:12 left.
With Mitchell playing all over the floor, Cleveland were within 99-97 in the final seconds when Bronson fouled a pullout, but Randle grabbed the tenth rebound and passed it to Quentin Grimes, who was fouled with four seconds left in the game.
Grimes made two free throws as the Knicks finished off the Cleveland squad and disappointed the rowdy, towel-waving Cleveland crowd who came back alive in the fourth quarter when Mitchell scored 14 to put the Cleveland team back.
Mitchell finished with 38 points for the Cavs, who returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals. It’s been a long road back for Cleveland, which hasn’t hurt as much from its inexperience as a lack of bench production from the bench.
Josh Hart added 17 points – and hit a three-pointer big – for New York, whose Reserves outscored the Cavs 37-14.
Jarrett Allen scored 14 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland.
Game two will take place on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Randle missed New York’s last five games after spraining his ankle on March 29, and the injury threatened to derail New York’s playoff hopes. However, this week he has improved despite not making much contact in practice and looking like himself from the start.
Bronson made his second error with 7:52 remaining in the first quarter, and coach Tom Thibodeau had no choice but to replace the guard, who scored a career-high 48 points against the Cavs on March 31—the first game Randle missed.
The Cavs didn’t take advantage with Bronson out as New York grabbed 10 straight points and led 30-24 after one.
Bronson returned to the bench with his third fumble at the halfway point of the second. Once again, Cleveland failed to capitalize and led the Knicks 50-45 at the half.
