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Knicks vs. Cavaliers final score, results: Knicks take a commanding 3-0 lead behind Brunson's 30-point game

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Original Story by The Sporting News
May 24, 2026
Knicks vs. Cavaliers final score, results: Knicks take a commanding 3-0 lead behind Brunson's 30-point game

The New York Knicks have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3. The Knicks take a commanding 3-0 series lead and this win marks their 10th straight win in these playoffs. 

Cleveland now faces a literal must win situation. Game 4 in Cleveland will be a possible close-out game for the Knicks. If the Knicks win on Monday night or win the series over any number of games, it will be the first NBA Finals appearance for the Knicks in 27 years. 

This win tonight also marks the first time in franchise history that the Knicks have held 3-0 leads in multiple playoff series in the same season. 

Cleveland tied the game at the four-minute mark of the second quarter. Short of that, the Cavs were simply never in this game. This series is a story of opposing concepts. The Knicks are the hottest team in these playoffs, score at will and are constantly pushing a faster tempo. Cleveland on the other hand is not shooting well (29% from three and 63% from the free throw line tonight) and look fatigued. 

While Donovan Mitchell and James Harden had some moments tonight, the offensive production and efficiency from their star backcourt has just not been good enough to stay with the Knicks. Mitchell and Harden combined for 42 points and 9 assists. In the last two series (DET and NYK) Cleveland does not win unless Mitchell and Harden score 50+. 

Game 4 with a possible Knicks sweep will take place on Monday night. That game will tip off at 8pm EST and broadcast on ESPN.  

 

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Knicks vs. Cavaliers live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 3

 

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Final Game Team Stats
  NYK CLE
FG 43-77 42-84
Field Goal % 56 50
3PT 11-28 12-41
Three Point % 39 29
FT 24-27 12-19
Free Throw % 89 63
Rebounds 37 34
Offensive Rebounds 8 9
Defensive Rebounds 29 25
Assists 27 22
Steals 10 7
Blocks 4 1
Total Turnovers 14 17
Points Conceded Off Turnovers 19 19
Fast Break Points 17 4
Points in Paint 42 46
Fouls 19 22
Technical Fouls 0 0
Flagrant Fouls 1 0
Largest Lead 17 0
Percent Led 96 0

The New York Knicks have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3

4th Quarter-0:25: Jalen Brunson hits two late free throws to close out the game. 

4th Quarter-1:04: Max Strus hits a 25-foot three-point shot and is fouled on the play. With a minute remaining. Officials are reviewing the foul to see if it elevates to a flagrant. Josh Hart was assessed a flagrant 1 for not allowing Strus to land safely (closedown of the defender). Strus hit the extra free throw. 

4th Quarter-2:13: Since Mitchell's three, both teams have traded twos over the last three minutes. Knicks lead is +16. 

4th Quarter-4:57: OG Anunoby and Donovan Mitchell trade deep three point makes, but the lead is +14 with less than five minutes remaining. Officials timeout as Max Strus found to be bleeding. 

4th Quarter-7:43: Max Strus hits a 26-foot three-point shot. Despite the improved three-point shooting by CLE, they have failed to get closer than 10 since the middle of the third quarter. 

4th Quarter-8:55: Jalen Brunson dribbles around the perimeter and finds an open Landry Shamet in the corner who hit a 26-foot three-point shot just before the shot clock expired. 

4th Quarter-9:49: Towns called for a kickball violation. Sam Merrill hits a 25-foot three-point shot to cut the Knicks lead to ten. 

4th Quarter-10:19: Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges combine for five points to start the fourth quarter. The Knicks have extended their lead to 14. Cavs call a timeout in the first two minutes of the quarter. 

*CLE is shooting 8-for-30 from three. 

 

The New York Knicks lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 91-82 after three quarters

3rd Quarter-0:54: James Harden walks Brunson into the paint, makes three different moves and scores at the bucket. Brunson fouled Harden on the play. Harden makes the extra free throw. 

3rd Quarter-1:39: Sam Merrill makes a 25-foot three-point bank shot to break up the Knicks run. Knicks are up by 10. 

3rd Quarter-3:41: Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby lead a Knicks 8-1 run. Knicks now up by 13. 

3rd Quarter-5:02: Jalen Brunson picked up his dribble and Sam Merrill forced a turnover. CLE could not convert on the other end. Resulting a run out with OG Anunoby dunking on the Knicks end. Knicks up by seven. 

3rd Quarter-5:39: Max Strus hits a 22-foot three-point shot to get back to within 6. 

3rd Quarter-7:29: Mikal Bridges makes two point-blank shots on consecutive possessions. 

3rd Quarter-9:05: Both teams trade threes and twos on the first four possessions to start the second half. Knicks still ahead by six. 

1st Half Team Stats
  NYK CLE
FG 21-37 22-41
Field Goal % 57 54
3PT 5-13 4-19
Three Point % 38 21
FT 13-14 6-11
Free Throw % 93 55
Rebounds 16 18
Offensive Rebounds 3 5
Defensive Rebounds 13 13
Assists 13 8
Steals 4 3
Blocks 2 0
Total Turnovers 8 9
Points Conceded Off Turnovers 9 10
Fast Break Points 11 0
Points in Paint 18 28
Fouls 11 11
Technical Fouls 0 0
Flagrant Fouls 0 0
Largest Lead 10 0
Percent Led 92 0

The New York Knicks lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 60-54 at halftime

2nd Quarter-0:30: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot to close out the half. 

2nd Quarter-0:38: The Knicks have gone on a 8-0 run since Hart's pick and finish. 

2nd Quarter-2:51: Donovan Mitchell runs from the top of the key, but Josh Hart pops the ball out directly to Towns who passed the ball back out to Hart, who finished at the other end with an almost dunk. 

2nd Quarter-4:04: Jalen Brunson secures a rebound off an Evan Mobley miss in the paint and proceeded to push a Tyus Edny like coast-to-coast sprint and finishes at the other end virtually unimpeded.  

2nd Quarter-5:40: CLE is on a 9-5 run and have pulled to within two. 

2nd Quarter-7:04: James Harden makes a two-point shot around Anunoby giving CLE their first lead in this game. 

2nd Quarter-7:31: After almost committing a turnover, Jaylon Tyson makes a layup but was body checked midair by Mitchell Robinson. Tyson made the extra free throw. 

2nd Quarter-9:41: Jose Alvarado is called for a foul. That foul put CLE in the bonus with nine minutes remaining. 

2nd Quarter-10:39: After a sloppy start to the second quarter, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley make two close range shots. Lead is down to six. 

The New York Knicks lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 37-27 after the 1st quarter

1st Quarter-0:49: Both teams go 0-for-3 on three-point attempts until Dennis Schroder broke that streak by hitting a 25-foot three. 

1st Quarter-3:46: Following the unsuccessful challenge, Karl Anthony Towns makes two consecutive shots in the paint to extend the Knicks lead. 

1st Quarter-4:51: Karl Anthony Towns is called for defensive goaltending. The Knicks challenged that call. The call was upheld; Knicks lose their timeout and cannot challenge the rest of the game. 

1st Quarter-5:57: Karl Anthony Towns remains aggressive and gets fouled and makes four free throws in two consecutive Knicks possessions. 

1st Quarter-7:05: Cavs surge and get close, but the Knicks get a series of midrange jump shots from Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby to maintain their three-point lead. 

1st Quarter-9:15: After a sleepwalking start by the Cavs, they pull within 2 on back to back Jarrett Allen points in the paint (layup, dunk). 

1st Quarter-10:06: The Knicks jump out to a quick 9-1 run. Including a Karl Anthony Town three point shot to start the game. 

 

 

 

How to Watch Game 3 Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks (2-0) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Saturday, May 23

Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET

TV: ABC (Available on Fubo TV)

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