Cavaliers didn't need a gritty road win over Knicks, but they sure wanted it

The Cavaliers rolled into Madison Square Garden on Friday night with a skeleton crew and zero reason for urgency. The New York Knicks, on the other hand, had everything to play for — at least, they thought they did. Darius Garland, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

Turns out, the Cavs had something left to say. They just said it a little later than usual.

Down by as many as 23 points and playing without Donovan Mitchell, Ty Jerome, De’Andre Hunter, or Sam Merrill — all sidelined either by injury or rest — the top-seeded Cavaliers staged a stunning second-half rally to knock off the Knicks, 114-111, in a game that meant far more to the home team. Or should have.

Rookie Jaylon Tyson logged meaningful minutes for the second night in a row, as Cleveland continued to lean into development ahead of the postseason. But what looked like a lost night on the schedule turned into yet another reminder that, even in April, this team plays to win.

Garland Guides the Way

Darius Garland once again wore the late-game cape, leading the Cavs (64-17) with 26 points and 13 assists — including 13 points in the final frame on 6-for-6 from the field.

The Cavs’ All-Star guard hit from deep, sliced into the lane, and dictated pace in a way that froze the Knicks’ defense in place. His game-sealing layup over Mitchell Robinson in the closing seconds put the exclamation point on a comeback that felt inevitable once Cleveland started applying pressure.

Strus, Okoro, and the Second Unit Shine

Max Strus added 19 points, including three massive three-pointers in the fourth that shifted momentum. Isaac Okoro was a two-way force, finishing with 15 points on a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and locking up Jalen Brunson down the stretch.

“This was one of Okoro’s most complete games of the season,” one Cavs staffer noted. “He didn’t just defend — he dictated.”

Okoro’s defensive effort, especially late, contributed to multiple Knicks shot clock violations and a costly Brunson travel that symbolized New York’s unraveling.

Knicks Come Up Empty-Handed

For the Knicks, this was supposed to be a chance to clinch the No. 3 seed in the East. But despite an early surge and a raucous Garden crowd, the game slipped away slowly — and then all at once.

Unbeknownst to them, Indiana’s loss to Orlando had already secured their playoff positioning. Still, the Knicks played like a team with something to prove. The Cavaliers simply proved more.

Defensive Identity Returns at the Right Time

Cleveland’s defense, which has taken a noticeable dip post-All-Star break, snapped back to form with playoff-level intensity. The Cavs outrebounded the Knicks 49-35, with Jarrett Allen leading the charge (13 rebounds) and Evan Mobley close behind (10).

Robinson, typically a thorn in Cleveland’s side, was held to just seven boards and found himself muscled out late when Allen snatched a critical rebound in traffic.

“It’s night and day from where they were defensively a month ago,” a league scout observed. “You can tell they’re flipping the switch.”

No Let-Up for Cleveland

With the No. 1 seed locked up, the Cavaliers had every reason to take the night off. Instead, they responded with playoff-level execution, logging heavy minutes and showing no signs of coasting.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — subtle, but unmistakable.

One regular-season game remains, but the message has been sent: These Cavaliers are serious about the long haul. And with Garland playing some of the best clutch basketball in the league, that haul could be deep.

They didn’t need this one. But they wanted it. That might be the most telling sign of all.