Cavaliers falter in fourth quarter as Knicks mount stunning comeback
The Cleveland Cavaliers faced a bitter disappointment on Christmas Day, succumbing to a 126-124 defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The game began with a promising flourish for the Cavs, who stormed out of the gates with an 18-3 run, seemingly poised to dictate the tempo of the contest. Yet, as the game unfolded, the Knicks slowly chipped away at the early deficit, eventually gaining the lead in the second quarter and heading to halftime with a slight two-point advantage.
Cavs regain momentum, but collapse looms
In the third quarter, the Cavaliers regrouped, showcasing their offensive might by outscoring the Knicks 38-24. This surge propelled them to a double-digit lead as they entered the final frame, holding a 14-point cushion with just eight minutes left on the clock. However, in a troubling turn of events, the Cavs could not maintain their grip on the game.
Guard Donovan Mitchell was a standout for Cleveland, leading all scorers with 34 points. Darius Garland contributed significantly as well, notching a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists. Sam Merrill added 11 points, while Jaylon Tyson provided a boost off the bench with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Evan Mobley made a notable return from injury, scoring 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds, and De’Andre Hunter added 13 points.
Knicks rally for the win
On the other side, the Knicks found their rhythm led by All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who also scored 34 points. Jordan Clarkson emerged as a clutch performer off the bench, pouring in 25 points. Second-year player Tyler Kolek made his mark with 16 points, while Josh Hart, who left the game in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury, contributed 15 points before exiting. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns rounded out the scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
This loss marks a disappointing turn for the Cavaliers, dropping their record to 17-15 and snapping a two-game losing streak. The inability to secure a victory after leading for much of the game has left the team frustrated. As they reflect on their performance, it’s clear they need to harness their strengths and play a full 48 minutes of competitive basketball to reclaim their momentum.
The Cavaliers will hit the court again on Saturday, making their way to Texas to face Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and the Houston Rockets. The game is set for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off at the Toyota Center in Houston, presenting a crucial opportunity for Cleveland to bounce back from this disheartening defeat.
