It wasn’t just the basketball world that was stunned by Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks’ unbelievable comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Madison Square Garden came to life after the Knicks overcame a 22-point deficit with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cavs in overtime. The win was so impressive that even the NFL world couldn’t contain its excitement over the stunning result.
Knicks Stun NFL World By Pulling Off Improbable Come-From-Behind Win vs. Cavaliers
This was the first time in NBA history that Game 1 of both Conference Finals series went to overtime, as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder just had a double-overtime thriller on Monday night.
Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons was loving all of the terrific basketball action in recent days.
“NBA been basketball been fire the last 48 hours!!” Parsons wrote.
NBA been basketball been fire the last 48 hours!!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) May 20, 2026
Robert Griffin III, the former NFL quarterback, was also watching the Knicks’ come-from-behind victory over the Cavaliers.
“The New York Knicks just had their largest comeback in the NBA Playoffs since 1970. Down 22 with 7:52 in the 4th,” Griffin wrote. “Out scored the Cavs 44-11 the rest of the 4th through overtime. Jalen Brunson is SUPERSTAR. Jalen Brunson is a 1-A player.”
“Jalen Brunson got that DAWG IN HIM,” Griffin added while sharing a video of Brunson rallying his teammates. “This is REAL LEADERSHIP. From this point on the New York Knicks out scored the Cavs 44-11 to claw back from down 22 points to force overtime and win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.”
Jalen Brunson got that DAWG IN HIM.
This is REAL LEADERSHIP.
From this point on the New York Knicks out scored the Cavs 44-11 to claw back from down 22 points to force overtime and win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 20, 2026
Griffin also took a shot at the Cavaliers for botching the game: “What a colossal CHOKE JOB by the Cleveland Cavaliers. YOU CAN’T GIVE UP A 22 POINT LEAD IN THE 4TH QUARTER WITH 7 MINS LEFT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. The Knicks just won the series because they know even on their worst day they can beat the Cavs.”
Former NFL DB Darius Butler also shared his thoughts throughout the game.
“Man go get the damn ball Spida!” he tweeted about Donovan Mitchell Shortly after, he had to give props to Brunson: “LEGEND”
In a separate tweet, Butler added: “Still thinking about that backwards over the head pass attempt from [James] Harden. Guy STINKS in the big moments!”
LEGEND https://t.co/00sC4XoWAm
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) May 20, 2026
Other NFL players and analysts weighed in as well.
“CLASSIC #JAMESHARDEN #CASPERTHEFRIENDLYGHOST🤷🏾 NOT SURE WHY #CLEVELAND THOUGHT IT’D BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR???” wrote 3-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Seth Joyner.
Joyner also let Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson have it during the collapse: “If the @cavs lose this game it’s on HC #KennyAtkinson‼️‼️ He can leave #JamesHarden on the floor the entire 4th qtr to get cooked!! #CoachinMalpractice”
CLASSIC #JAMESHARDEN #CASPERTHEFRIENDLYGHOST🤷🏾
NOT SURE WHY #CLEVELAND THOUGHT IT’D BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR???— Seth Joyner (@sethjoyner) May 20, 2026
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy didn’t mince words while reacting to the Cavaliers’ loss.
“Epic choke job from Cavs. This series is over,” Portnoy wrote. “Total team breakdown from coaches to players. Brunson was amazing but still totally and completely inexcusable from Cleveland.”
Epic choke job from Cavs. This series is over. Total team breakdown from coaches to players. Brunson was amazing but still totally and completely inexcusable from Cleveland
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 20, 2026
The Cavaliers were leading 83-69 at the end of the third quarter. The Knicks then rallied to outscore the Cavaliers 32-14 in the fourth, forcing overtime. The overtime period was all New York, as they went on a 14-3 run to notch up a 115-104 win.
It was the Brunson show, as the star guard totaled 38 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Karl-Anthony Towns had a 13-point double-double with 13 rebounds. Mikal Bridges has 18 points, while OG Anunoby and Josh Hart had 13 points each.
The Cavaliers were led by Donovan Mitchell with a team-high 29 points. Harden and Evan Mobley had 15 points each.
The Knicks head into Game 2 with a ton of momentum after their thrilling win on Tuesday, and they will hope to make it 2-0 when both sides meet Thursday at MSG.
