If you were looking for a calm, peaceful holiday evening by the fire, you were in the wrong place. The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers decided to gift NBA fans a heart-stopping thriller that probably spiked blood pressure levels across the five boroughs. In a game that saw New York trailing by as many as 17 points, it was Jalen Brunson who decided that the Grinch wasn’t stealing this one.
A Comeback For the Ages
For a while there, it looked bleak. The Cavs, led by a scorching Donovan Mitchell, who matched Brunson with 34 points, seemed to be cruising. Cleveland walked into the fourth quarter with a 12-point cushion, and the air inside the Garden was getting a little thin. You could practically hear the collective groan of Knicks fans wondering if their Christmas present was going to be a blowout loss on national television.
But then, the tide turned.
Brunson, who finished with 34 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals, simply refused to let the game slip away. He poured in 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, dissecting the Cavs’ defense with the kind of surgical precision that makes him a nightmare to guard. Whether it was navigating pick-and-rolls or burying dagger threes, he went 6-of-12 from deep. Brunson put the team on his back. It was an MVP-caliber showing when the lights were brightest.
Unsung Heroes and Bench Mobs
While Brunson was the headliner, he didn’t orchestrate this symphony alone. The Knicks’ bench unit, which has been a rollercoaster at times this season, brought serious energy.
Jordan Clarkson was electric, looking every bit the former Sixth Man of the Year. He dropped 25 points in 29 minutes, hitting shots that had no business going in and swiping three steals. Clarkson’s offensive punch kept the Knicks afloat when the starters needed a breather, bridging the gap until Brunson could return to close the show.
And let’s not overlook Tyler Kolek. The second-year guard chipped in 16 points and dished out 9 assists, playing with a poise beyond his years. It’s these kinds of contributions that turn scheduled losses into memorable wins.
The Aftermath
By the time the final buzzer sounded on the 126-124 victory, the Garden was shaking. It was the Knicks’ largest comeback win of the season, and it pushed their record to 21-9.
Sure, Mitchell had the highlight of the night with a monster dunk that will be replayed on SportsCenter for a week, but the Knicks got the W. And in New York, that’s all that matters.
The Knicks now have to shake off the eggnog and prepare for a three-game road trip starting Saturday against the Hawks. But for today? They can enjoy a very merry and very loud Christmas.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
