New York Knicks Start Mike Brown Era With Gritty Win Over the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Mike Brown era in New York officially tipped off Wednesday night, and let me tell you, it started with exactly the kind of grit and determination this franchise needed. The Knicks knocked off the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111 at Madison Square Garden in a game that had more twists than a New York City subway route.
Five Knicks Step Up In Season Opener
This wasn’t a one-man show, folks. Five players hit double figures, with OG Anunoby leading the charge with 24 points and Jalen Brunson right behind him with 23. When you’ve got that kind of balanced scoring attack, you’re cooking with gas. The Knicks showed they’re not just relying on their stars—this is a team effort through and through.
The Knicks Survived a Third-Quarter Collapse
Here’s where things got dicey. The Knicks rolled into halftime sitting pretty with a 15-point cushion. Then the third quarter happened. Cleveland outscored New York 37-22 in that frame, with Donovan Mitchell going absolutely nuclear for 21 points in the period alone. The Garden crowd went from electric to anxious real quick as the Cavaliers tied things up heading into the fourth.
But here’s what separates contenders from pretenders: the Knicks didn’t fold. They didn’t panic. They regrouped and came out swinging in the fourth quarter with a statement-making 14-2 run. That’s championship DNA right there.
Mike Brown’s Deep Rotation Pays Off
One thing became crystal clear on opening night—Mike Brown is not Tom Thibodeau. Brown rolled out an 11-man rotation, and every single one of those guys saw minutes in the first half. Tyler Kolek even got in on the action with a slick assist to Anunoby and knocked down a three-pointer. This depth could be the secret weapon that keeps the Knicks fresh deep into the season.
The Cavaliers made things interesting down the stretch, trading buckets and keeping the pressure on. But clutch plays from Anunoby (a dagger three with just over a minute left) and Brunson (a critical bucket with 58.8 seconds remaining) sealed the deal. Anunoby’s reverse dunk off a Cleveland turnover with 40 seconds left was the chef’s kiss on a well-earned victory.
What This Win Means For the Knicks
Look, it’s one game. We’re not printing championship banners yet. But this opener showed something important: the Knicks have an identity under Brown. They moved the ball beautifully, they shot 35% from deep on 40 attempts, and they showed resilience when things got tough. The offense looked fluid, the bench contributed, and when the game was on the line, they executed.
Wednesday night wasn’t perfect; that third quarter was rougher than a bodega cat, but it was a statement. The Knicks are here to compete, they’ve got depth, and they’re not backing down from anybody. Welcome to the Mike Brown era, New York. So far, so good.
