Jalen Brunson, Knicks explode to rally past Cavaliers

Field Level Media|published: Thu 25th December, 15:17 2025

Dec 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:05 left Thursday afternoon for the host New York Knicks, who overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 126-124.

Brunson scored 13 of his 34 points over the final 7:15 for the Knicks, who mounted their biggest comeback win of the season. Reserves Jordan Clarkson (25 points) and Tyler Kolek (16 points, nine assists) had big games while Karl-Anthony Towns (11 points, 14 rebounds) posted a double-double.

Josh Hart scored 15 points before exiting with an ankle injury with 7:42 left while Mikal Bridges added 12 points.

Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points for the Cavaliers, who lost a game in which they led entering the fourth quarter for the first time this season. Darius Garland recored a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists while Jaylon Tyson (16 points), Evan Mobley (14 points, nine rebounds) and De'Andre Hunter (13 points) all got into double figures off the bench. Sam Merrill added 11 points.

Mobley (calf) returned from a five-game absence.

The Cavaliers led 107-91 before the Knicks mounted the final surge in a game filled with dueling runs. Brunson tied the game at 113-113 by hitting a 3-pointer with 3:48 left before Cleveland scored the next four points.

Kolek, who had 11 points in the fourth, hit a 3-pointer and the Cavaliers missed a pair of shots before Bridges put the Knicks ahead by sinking a fallaway with 1:29 left. Garland answered with a layup before Brunson's go-ahead 3-pointer.

Garland missed from 15 feet and Towns put back a miss by Kolek to extend the Knicks' lead to 123-119. Mitchell and OG Anunoby swapped dunks before Mitchell missed a long 3-pointer with less than 11 seconds left, Mitchell Robinson missed a pair of free throws and Mitchell sank a desperation 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining.

Towns split a pair of free throws with 1.1 seconds left and Mitchell's 75-footer was short as time expired.

The Cavaliers opened the game with a 20-5 run and led 38-23 at the end of the first before the Knicks went on an 18-0 run in the second and took a 60-58 halftime lead. Cleveland ended the third quarter on a 23-13 run.

--Field Level Media

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