The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 on May 21, 2026, at Madison Square Garden to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
All five Knicks starters scored in double figures, combining for 96 points, as the team secured its ninth consecutive playoff victory.
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Swingman Josh Hart recorded a postseason career-high 26 points, along with seven assists and four rebounds, while making five of 11 three-point attempts.
Knicks coach Mike Brown praised Hart's performance, noting that Cleveland defenders repeatedly left him open on the perimeter.
Hart bounced back from an inefficient shooting night in Game 1, where he missed all four long-range attempts in the first half.
"I knew I had to just keep shooting, and if I did that, I'd be good," Hart said.
He scored 12 points in the first half and matched that total in the third quarter alone by converting three consecutive three-pointers.
Hart became the third player in franchise history to record at least 25 points, five assists, and five three-pointers in a Conference Finals game.
"I'm a servant to these guys," Hart said, emphasizing that personal accolades mattered less than contributing to the team's success.
Guard Jalen Brunson added 19 points and a postseason career-high 14 assists, the highest single-game assist total for a Knicks player in the playoffs since 1998.
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"Our offense ... the way we were able to play in transition, was a credit to our defense," Brunson said.
