Looking for Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats? You are in the right place. The most recent meeting between these teams was the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. New York won the series 4-0 and reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
This guide breaks down the player numbers game by game. You will see how Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and others performed. You will also find team stats, past matchups, and simple tips for reading a box score. The figures come from game recaps by the NBA, ESPN, AP, and other news outlets. Always check the official box score for final numbers.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Match Results at a Glance
The series was one sided after a wild opening night. Cleveland led by 22 points late in Game 1 and still lost. After that, the Knicks never looked back. They won each of the next three games by 16 points or more.
Here is a quick look at every game and the top scorers.
| Game | Date | Final Score | Top Knicks Scorer | Top Cavaliers Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 19, 2026 | Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104 (OT) | Jalen Brunson, 38 | Donovan Mitchell, 29 |
| Game 2 | May 21, 2026 | Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93 | Josh Hart, 26 | Donovan Mitchell, 26 |
| Game 3 | May 23, 2026 | Knicks 121, Cavaliers 108 | Jalen Brunson, 30 | Evan Mobley, 24 |
| Game 4 | May 25, 2026 | Knicks 130, Cavaliers 93 | Karl-Anthony Towns, 19 | Donovan Mitchell, 31 |
Games 1 and 2 were played at Madison Square Garden. Games 3 and 4 took place in Cleveland. The Game 4 loss was the largest playoff home defeat in Cavaliers history, a 37 point gap.
Jalen Brunson Player Stats vs the Cavaliers
Brunson was the engine of the sweep. He earned the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award. Over the four games, he averaged 25.5 points on about 49 percent shooting.
His best night came in Game 1. He scored 38 points on 15-of-29 shooting. He also added six assists and led the Knicks out of that 22 point hole. Most of the damage came late, when New York closed the game on a huge 44-11 run.
Game 2 was different. Brunson scored just two points in the first half. He then helped spark an 18-0 run in the third quarter and finished with 19 points and 14 assists. That assist number was the highest of his playoff career at that point.
Here are his known game lines:
- Game 1: 38 points, 6 assists, 15-of-29 from the field
- Game 2: 19 points, 14 assists
- Game 3: 30 points, including six during a key third quarter run
- Series: 25.5 points per game on 49 percent shooting
The pattern is clear. Brunson can score big when needed. He can also pass when the defense collapses on him.
Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart
Brunson got the headlines. His teammates made the sweep possible. The Knicks used a balanced attack, and a different player stepped up in each game.
Towns closed the series with 19 points and 14 rebounds in Game 4. OG Anunoby scored 17 in that same game. Mikal Bridges put up 22 points in Game 3, which helped New York build a 13 point lead in the third quarter. Josh Hart had the surprise of the series in Game 2. He scored a playoff career-high 26 points.
| Player | Best Moment | Key Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Game 4 double-double | 19 points, 14 rebounds |
| OG Anunoby | Game 4 scoring support | 17 points |
| Mikal Bridges | Game 3 second option | 22 points |
| Josh Hart | Game 2 breakout | 26 points, playoff career high |
Mike Brown coached the team. He praised the group after Game 4. He pointed to 65 points off offensive rebounds and fast breaks as proof of their effort. That tells you something. The Knicks won the hustle battle every night.
Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden Stats vs the Knicks
Cleveland had real firepower. It just could not hold up for four straight games. Mitchell was the most consistent scorer. He reached 29 points in Game 1, 26 in Game 2, 23 in Game 3, and 31 in Game 4. He also posted six steals in the opener.
Evan Mobley gave the Cavaliers steady production inside. He scored 24 points in Game 3. He also had seven points in the first six minutes of Game 4. Cleveland led 17-14 at that point, then the Knicks went on a long run and took over.
James Harden had a quiet series by his standards. He scored 18 in Game 2 and 19 in Game 3. He then fell to 12 points on 2-of-8 shooting in Game 4. Harden joined the team midseason, and reports noted the group had few practice reps together.
| Player | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell (points) | 29 | 26 | 23 | 31 |
| James Harden (points) | Not confirmed | 18 | 19 | 12 |
| Evan Mobley (points) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 24 | Not confirmed |
Mitchell also faced questions about his health after Game 1. He scored only seven points in the first half of Game 2. The talk faded after he put up 31 in the finale, but it was a story all series.
Team Stats That Explain the Knicks Sweep
Player stats tell half the story. Team numbers show why Cleveland could not recover. The Knicks won the possession battle, shot better, and made more of their open looks.
The biggest gap was second-chance scoring. In Game 4, New York outscored Cleveland 32-5 in that category. In Game 1, the Knicks scored 60 points in the paint, compared with 38 for the Cavaliers. Those are huge swings.
Three-point shooting also hurt Cleveland. The Cavaliers made only 12 of 41 threes in Game 3. In Game 4, they shot about 28 percent from deep on 40 attempts. The Knicks, meanwhile, hit 44 percent from three and dished out 33 assists.
| Team Stat | Knicks | Cavaliers | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-chance points | 32 | 5 | Game 4 |
| Points in the paint | 60 | 38 | Game 1 |
| Three-pointers made | Not listed | 12 of 41 | Game 3 |
| Three-point percentage | 44% | About 28% | Game 4 |
| Assists | 33 | Not listed | Game 4 |
One report called this the worst four-game stretch of offense for Cleveland all season. That is a clear sign of how well the Knicks defended.
Also Read This Blog Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats
Game 1 Comeback: The Stats Behind a 22-Point Rally
Game 1 deserves its own section. It set the tone for the whole series. Cleveland led 83-69 after three quarters. The lead grew to 22 in the fourth. Mitchell had a big three-pointer when the Knicks left him open.
Then everything flipped. New York closed regulation on a 44-11 run. Brunson scored most of the late points. The Knicks forced overtime and then scored the first six points of the extra period. Anunoby added four of those points with two free throws and a layup.
Why did the comeback work? A few numbers stand out:
- The Cavaliers scored just 46 points in the first half on 47 possessions.
- Knicks guards attacked the rim and got to the line late.
- The Cavaliers lost the paint battle by a wide margin.
- Brunson plus-minus swung hard in the fourth quarter.
This game also shows why box scores matter. A lead of 22 points can vanish in minutes when shots stop falling and turnovers pile up.
How to Read Knicks vs Cavaliers Box Score Stats
A box score can look like a wall of numbers. It is easier than it seems. Each column tells you one small part of the player’s night. Once you know the short forms, you can scan a game in under a minute.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| MIN | Minutes played | Shows how much the coach trusted the player |
| PTS | Points | Total scoring |
| FG | Field goals made and attempted | Shows shooting efficiency |
| 3PT | Three-pointers made and attempted | Shows long-range impact |
| FT | Free throws made and attempted | Shows ability to draw fouls |
| REB | Rebounds | Measures control of the glass |
| AST | Assists | Measures playmaking |
| STL / BLK | Steals and blocks | Measures defense |
| TO | Turnovers | Lower is better |
| +/- | Team point margin while the player is on court | Shows real impact |
Here is a quick tip. Do not judge a player on points alone. A player with 12 points and a strong plus-minus can matter more than a player with 25 points on poor shooting. Harden’s Game 4 line is a good example. He took only eight shots and shot 2-of-8.
Past Knicks vs Cavaliers Player Performances
The 2026 series was not the first great duel between these clubs. Brunson and Mitchell have traded big games for years. Here are a few older results worth remembering.
| Date | Result | Notable Player Stats |
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2023 | Knicks 130, Cavaliers 116 | Brunson 48 points (career high), 9 assists. Mitchell 42 points. |
| October 31, 2023 | Knicks 109, Cavaliers 91 | Brunson 19 points. Julius Randle 19 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell 26 points. |
| April 11, 2025 | Cavaliers 108, Knicks 102 | Darius Garland 26 points and 13 assists. Brunson 27 points. |
The April 2025 game is a good reminder that Cleveland had the upper hand in the regular season that year. The Cavaliers won 64 games and finished with the best record in the East. The 2026 sweep flipped that story.
It also shows how rosters change fast in the NBA. Randle, Garland, and Barrett were big parts of these older games. The 2026 series featured Towns, Harden, and Bridges instead.
Where to Find Live Knicks vs Cavaliers Player Stats
Want to follow the next game in real time? You have several good options. Most are free. The best choice depends on how much detail you want.
- NBA.com and the NBA app: Official box scores, play-by-play, and shot charts.
- ESPN: Quick box scores, recaps, and standings.
- Team websites and social pages: Fast updates from the Knicks and Cavaliers accounts.
- Fantasy sites: Extra numbers like fantasy points and minutes splits.
For the cleanest numbers, use the official NBA box score. Stats can change slightly after a game ends. Scorers review plays and fix small errors. That is why early recaps sometimes differ by a rebound or an assist.
Also Read This Blog Los Angeles Rams vs Seahawks Match Player Stats
What to Watch in the Next Knicks vs Cavaliers Game
The teams will meet again in the regular season. Check the official NBA schedule for exact dates. When they do, a few matchups will decide the night.
- Brunson against Cleveland’s guards: Can Mitchell and Harden slow him down?
- Towns against Mobley: This frontcourt battle decides rebounding and spacing.
- Second-chance points: The Knicks dominated this area. Cleveland must fix it.
- Three-point volume: The Cavaliers took many threes and missed. Better shot selection could help.
Cleveland has the talent to bounce back. Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen all reached their first conference finals in 2026. That experience can help. The Knicks, on the other hand, now carry the confidence of a title run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Knicks vs Cavaliers game in the 2026 playoffs?
The Knicks won the series 4-0. They swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Who scored the most points in the Knicks vs Cavaliers series?
Jalen Brunson had the top single-game total with 38 points in Game 1. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points in Game 4.
What was the final score of Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 4?
The Knicks won 130-93. It was the largest playoff home loss in Cavaliers history.
Who was the MVP of the Knicks vs Cavaliers series?
Jalen Brunson won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award. He averaged 25.5 points in the series.
How did Donovan Mitchell play against the Knicks?
Mitchell scored between 23 and 31 points in each game. He also had six steals in Game 1.
How many points did Karl-Anthony Towns score in Game 4?
Towns scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. It was his best line of the clincher.
Where can I see the full Knicks vs Cavaliers box score?
The NBA.com and ESPN websites list full box scores for every game. The NBA app also shows live player stats.
Final Thoughts
The Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers player stats from 2026 tell a clear story. Brunson led the way with big scoring and strong passing. Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart each had a moment. Cleveland had stars who scored, but the team could not match New York’s effort on the glass and in transition.
If you follow these two teams, keep an eye on the small numbers. Second-chance points, paint scoring, and three-point shooting explained most of this series. Use the official box score to confirm every stat, and check back after the next game to see how the matchup has changed.
[…] Also Read This Blog Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats […]