CLEVELAND, Ohio — The New York Knicks defeated the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers 109-91 on Tuesday night, dominating the last three quarters despite 19 points and 10 rebounds from Julius Randle and 19 points from Jalen Brunson.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The New York Knicks defeated the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers 109-91 on Tuesday night, dominating the last three quarters despite 19 points and 10 rebounds from Julius Randle and 19 points from Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks won the first game of a home-and-home series led by RJ Barrett with 16 points and Immanuel Quickley with 18 points off the bench. It was the first time the teams had faced each other since New York won five games to eliminate Cleveland in the 2023 postseason opening round.
“History is the past; it doesn’t matter what happened in the past,” Brunson declared. “The only benefit is that you can use certain tendencies against certain teams when you play them again.”
Donovan Mitchell, a native of New York, scored 26 points in 29 minutes, while Georges Niang and Isaac Okoro each scored 11 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost three straight and are 0-3 at home. Since the beginning of the previous season, Cleveland is 2-8 versus the Knicks.
Mitchell, who is averaging a team-high 32.0 points and 4.7 assists, made a comeback on Saturday after missing the Pacers’ 125-113 loss due to a tight right hamstring. One night prior, the four-time All-Star sustained an injury during Oklahoma City’s 108-105 home loss.
Tom Thibodeau, the coach of New York, stated, “We had to make it as hard on him as we could.” “You should have a plan for each and every person. You shouldn’t pace yourself because of this. You must be prepared to go when that ball rises.
Point guard Darius Garland (left hamstring strain) missed the Cavaliers’ third consecutive game due to injury, and center Jarrett Allen (left ankle bone bruise) hasn’t worn a uniform this year. Both starting point guard Caris LeVert and backup point guard Ty Jerome were sidelined due to hamstring injuries (left and right, respectively).
We’re missing a lot of men, so it’s difficult, but you can’t think about it too much because we have to return tomorrow and try again, Mitchell added. “I’m not one to give reasons why.”
Although he hasn’t set a specific return date, Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed his hope that Allen “is doing more and more work and hopefully will be back soon.”
Bickerstaff stated, “It’s hit us at a tough time, obviously.” “Our strategy is the same, but you must accept the outcome of the circumstances.”
For New York, center Mitchell Robinson scored eight points and seven rebounds, while teammate Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. The Knicks are 2-2 overall and 2-1 on the road.
“We have two great bigs (Randle and Robinson), and one of them can step up any night,” Hartenstein remarked. “I just have to make sure I’m ready every night.”
Craig Porter, a rookie undrafted by the Cavaliers, scored ten points, while Evan Mobley finished with six points, twelve rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Emoni Bates recorded six rebounds and nine points as a draft pick.
Bickerstaff remarked, “You do whatever it takes to get a guy ready for NBA basketball.” “This is to be anticipated.”