TITLE: Cavaliers search for answers after surrendering 22-point lead to Knicks in Game 1
SLUG: cavaliers-search-for-answers-after-game-1-collapse
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers head into Game 2 facing urgent questions after a 22-point fourth-quarter meltdown allowed the New York Knicks to steal Game 1 in overtime.
Knicks repeatedly attack Harden
New York’s comeback centered on isolating James Harden. According to ESPN, the Knick being guarded by Harden set a screen 16 times in the final period, leading to 10 straight possessions with Jalen Brunson matched against the former MVP. After failing to score on the first two trips, the Knicks generated 18 points on the next eight, 13 of them from Brunson.
Atkinson stands by his veteran guard
Despite the torrent, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Tuesday he never considered pulling Harden. “He’s been one of our best defenders in these playoffs,” Atkinson said. “Smart. Great hands. I didn’t think about that.” Speaking again Wednesday, the coach placed responsibility on team defense rather than on Harden individually: “He’s a good isolation defender, always has been.”
Timeout usage under scrutiny
Atkinson burned only one timeout during the Knicks’ late surge and still had two in hand when regulation ended. He later cited “really tough shots” and “a little bad luck,” adding that Cleveland’s ball movement stalled as fatigue set in.
The approach drew criticism from local media. Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor argued that Atkinson should have rested a visibly tired Harden or tweaked coverages to prevent New York from switching onto him so easily.
Mitchell’s blunt assessment
Guard Donovan Mitchell was less diplomatic. “We f***ing blew it,” he said post-game. “That can’t happen. But it did. We play in two days. We can’t let it kill our momentum.”
Looking ahead
Atkinson pointed to Cleveland’s postseason resilience—two elimination-game wins and a rally from 0-2 down against Detroit—as evidence the club can rebound. “You live between misery and awesomeness in the playoffs,” he said. “This is misery, but it’s probably the fourth miserable game we’ve had. Get back on the horse.”
Game 2 is set for Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, where the Cavaliers will try to even the series.
Source: Hoops Rumors
