Knicks Secure Victory Over Cavaliers in Playoff Matchup
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Madison Square Garden
New York Knicks 109, Cleveland Cavaliers 93, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks?
New York Knicks beat Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks?
New York Knicks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.
The New York Knicks triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 109-93 in their playoff matchup held at Madison Square Garden. This victory allowed the Knicks to win the series 2-1 against the Cavaliers, showcasing their strength in this critical postseason battle.
The Knicks entered the game with a home record of 53-29, while the Cavaliers had a slightly less impressive away record of 52-30. The Knicks have shown resilience at home, boasting a record of 4-1 in their last five home games, averaging 112.8 points scored while allowing 102.4 points. However, their recent form had been less favorable, as they were on a one-game losing streak after a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers arrived with a strong away record of 3-2 in their last five games, having averaged 122.6 points scored and 118.2 points allowed. They had been riding a one-game winning streak, defeating the Washington Wizards in their previous game. This matchup was particularly interesting given the teams' recent head-to-head history, where the Knicks had won two of their last three meetings against the Cavaliers, including a close win on Christmas Day.
In terms of injuries, the Knicks were dealing with the day-to-day statuses of Mohamed Diawara and Jalen Brunson, both of whom were crucial to their lineup. Brunson, in particular, had been a key player for the Knicks throughout the season, and his performance in this game was vital. Despite these concerns, the Knicks managed to secure a decisive win.
The betting lines provided by DraftKings favored the Knicks, who were listed at -5.5 on the spread with a moneyline of -198. The total for the game was set at 215.5, with the over at -112.0 and the under at -108.0. These odds reflected the expectations surrounding the matchup, with the Knicks seen as the stronger team at home.
Conditions in Madison Square Garden were ideal for basketball, and the atmosphere was electric as fans rallied behind their team. The Knicks capitalized on this home-court advantage, executing their game plan effectively. Key scoring plays in the fourth quarter included crucial free throws from Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, as well as a series of jump shots that widened the gap between the two teams.
As the game progressed, the Knicks maintained control, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Cavaliers decisively. The final quarter saw Jalen Brunson contribute significantly, making a driving floating jump shot that brought the score to 109-91. The Knicks' defense also played a critical role, limiting the Cavaliers' scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers.
Overall, this game highlighted the Knicks' ability to perform under pressure and their determination to advance in the playoffs. With the series victory over the Cavaliers, they have set themselves up for further challenges in the postseason, showcasing their potential as a formidable opponent.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NY -5.5 | 215.5 o -112 / u -108 | Cleveland Cavaliers +164 · New York Knicks -198 |
Injury report
- Mohamed DiawaraDay-To-DayFingerNew York Knicks
- Jalen BrunsonDay-To-DayWristNew York Knicks
Leaders
- PointsJosh Hart26New York Knicks
- AssistsJalen Brunson14New York Knicks
- ReboundsKarl-Anthony Towns13New York Knicks
- PointsDonovan Mitchell26Cleveland Cavaliers
- AssistsEvan Mobley3Cleveland Cavaliers
- ReboundsJarrett Allen10Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent form
New York Knicks
Last 10: 6-4Streak L1111.2 scored · 108.3 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L96-110vs Charlotte HornetsApr 12
- W112-95vs Toronto RaptorsApr 10
- W112-106vs Boston CelticsApr 9
- W108-105at Atlanta HawksApr 6
- W136-96vs Chicago BullsApr 3
- W130-119at Memphis GrizzliesApr 2
- L94-111at Houston RocketsApr 1
- L100-111at Oklahoma City ThunderMar 29
- L103-114at Charlotte HornetsMar 26
- W121-116vs New Orleans PelicansMar 24
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W1121.8 scored · 119 allowed per game3-2 away
- W130-117vs Washington WizardsApr 12
- L102-124at Atlanta HawksApr 10
- W122-116vs Atlanta HawksApr 8
- W142-126at Memphis GrizzliesApr 7
- W117-108vs Indiana PacersApr 5
- W118-111at Golden State WarriorsApr 3
- L113-127at Los Angeles LakersApr 1
- W122-113at Utah JazzMar 31
- W149-128vs Miami HeatMar 27
- L103-120vs Miami HeatMar 25
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | - | 22 | W3 | .732 | 60 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| Milwaukee | 28 | 50 | L1 | .390 | 32 |
| Chicago | 29 | 51 | L2 | .378 | 31 |
| Indiana | 41 | 63 | L2 | .232 | 19 |
| Boston | - | 26 | W2 | .683 | 56 |
| New York | 3 | 29 | L1 | .646 | 53 |
| Toronto | 10 | 36 | W1 | .561 | 46 |
| Philadelphia | 11 | 37 | W2 | .549 | 45 |
| Brooklyn | 36 | 62 | L3 | .244 | 20 |
Box score
| Stat | Cleveland Cavaliers | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-80 | 44-85 |
| Field goal % | 39 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 9-35 | 13-36 |
| Three-point % | 26 | 36 |
| Free throws | 22-32 | 8-14 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 57 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 40 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 35 |
| Assists | 15 | 32 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 58 |
| Fouls | 20 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 19 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 21 | 67 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter60-76Donovan Mitchell makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot
- 3rd Quarter63-76Donovan Mitchell makes 27-foot three pointer
- 3rd Quarter63-79Karl-Anthony Towns makes 23-foot three point jumper (Miles McBride assists)
- 3rd Quarter65-79Donovan Mitchell makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter65-81Jordan Clarkson makes two point shot
- 3rd Quarter66-81Max Strus makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter67-81Max Strus makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter67-83Mitchell Robinson makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 3rd Quarter68-83Sam Merrill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter68-85Jordan Clarkson makes 10-foot floating jump shot (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 3rd Quarter70-85Donovan Mitchell makes 1-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter71-85Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter72-85Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter73-85Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter74-85Sam Merrill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter75-85Jaylon Tyson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter76-85Jaylon Tyson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter78-85Jaylon Tyson makes layup (Dennis Schroder assists)
- 4th Quarter78-88OG Anunoby makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 4th Quarter80-88Donovan Mitchell makes 12-foot driving floating jump shot (James Harden assists)
- 4th Quarter80-90Mikal Bridges makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 4th Quarter80-92OG Anunoby makes driving layup (Josh Hart assists)
- 4th Quarter82-92Dennis Schroder makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter82-95Mikal Bridges makes 23-foot three point jumper (Josh Hart assists)
- 4th Quarter85-95James Harden makes 23-foot three point jumper (Max Strus assists)
- 4th Quarter85-97Jalen Brunson makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter85-99Josh Hart makes 9-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter86-99Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-100Jalen Brunson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-101Jalen Brunson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-103Jalen Brunson makes running layup
- 4th Quarter86-104Jalen Brunson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-105Jalen Brunson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter87-105Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter88-105Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter90-105James Harden makes 3-foot running pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter91-105James Harden makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter91-107Mikal Bridges makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 4th Quarter91-109Jalen Brunson makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot
- 4th Quarter93-109Nae'Qwan Tomlin makes tip shot
Win probability
Above the line favours New York Knicks, below favours Cleveland Cavaliers.
Venue
- Madison Square GardenNew York, NY
- Attendance19812
- OfficialsJames Williams, Zach Zarba, Sean Wright, Ray Acosta
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