NEW YORK – Josh Hart delivered a playoff career-high 26 points, including five crucial three-pointers, leading the New York Knicks to a dominant 109-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The win, secured at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, May 21, 2026, gives the Knicks a commanding 2-0 series lead as the teams prepare to shift to Cleveland.
Hart's explosive scoring performance was particularly significant given the Cavaliers' defensive strategy, which often left him open on the perimeter. Initially, Hart missed his first three attempts from beyond the arc, but he quickly found his rhythm, sinking five of his next eight three-point shots. "If they continue to leave him open," Knicks coach Mike Brown said after the game, "he’s gotta continue to let it fly."
Beyond his scoring prowess, Hart showcased his all-around impact, contributing seven assists and four rebounds. His high usage rate of 31.9% marked a career-high, underscoring his pivotal role in the Knicks' offense during the game. This multifaceted performance aligns with the sentiment from the original tweet by @TheAthletic, which noted, "But his game has always been about more than scoring."
The Knicks broke the game open with an 18-0 run in the third quarter, turning a tightly contested game, which was tied at 53, into a decisive advantage. Jalen Brunson, who had a relatively quiet scoring night with 19 points, orchestrated the offense with a playoff career-high 14 assists. This strategic ball movement and Hart's timely shooting proved too much for the Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points, but Cleveland struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 9-for-35 (26%) as a team. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the team had good looks but "it wasn't a great shooting night." The Cavaliers now face the daunting task of overcoming a 2-0 deficit as the series moves to their home court for Game 3.
