Knicks Clobbered By Cavs Despite OG Anunoby Return

The New York Knicks were dealt another humbling by one of the NBA's elite.

Feb 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland rocks and the New York Knicks found that out the hard way on Friday night.

The Knicks once struggled to put up much of a fight against the NBA's finest, as they dropped a 142-105 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, marring the return of OG Anunoby after a six-game injury absence for a sprained foot.

New York is now 0-6 against the top three teams on the overall NBA leaderboard, having fruitlessly faced Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City two times each. Friday's loss was also the largest of the Tom Thibodeau era that began in the 2020-21 season: the last time the Knicks lost by such a margin, the David Fizdale era had ended with a thud in December 2019.

Feb 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter (12) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points, all but 10 coming in the opening period. Early foul trouble forced Brunson to the bench and he could mostly only watch while Cleveland (46-10) made quick work of the third-place New Yorkers. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points) united to shoot 20-of-32 from the field but that was hardly enough to combat another tepid defensive effort.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 27 points as they continued their best start to a season in franchise history. Six Clevelanders reached double-figures, including a tally of 19 from Ty Jerome off the bench. The Cavs put in 66 points in the paint with Josh Hart out and Mitchell Robinson still healing while also outscoring the Knicks 20-6 in the fastbreak department.

Even if Hart and Robinson had been available to man the Knicks' interior front, that wouldn't have been enough to stop a 51 percent effort from three-point range. Mitchell hit five of the final 19-triple tally while newcomer De'Andre Hunter was a perfect 4-of-4 with an extra point on the line.

Feb 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) and New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) go for a rebound during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Things went downhill almost immediately after the Knicks (37-19) scored the first five points of the game. Cleveland turned the highly-anticipated matchup into their personal slam dunk contest, dominating the paint with unglamorous slams that nonetheless provided vital two-point tallies en route to building a lasting lead that never dipped under 10 after Evan Mobley responded to a Towns triple with one of his own.

The only true scare for Cleveland came from the medical front: Brunson's All-Star Game teammate Darius Garland required attention after he fell face first to the floor following a Towns foul but was able to return, unnecessary as it may have been considering the one-sided nature of Friday's game. Jarrett Allen left with a hand injury but immediate x-rays were said to be negative in the aftermath.

New York has one more chance to avoid a season sweep against the rivals Cavs in early April. In the meantime, the Knicks have another immediate chance to prove their championship mettle on Sunday afternoon when they face the defending champion Boston Celtics again (1 p.m. ET, ABC).

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