Knicks Clinch Playoff Seed But Fall to Cavs Again

Before they duel Detroit, the New York Knicks once again failed to conquer Cleveland.

On a night where they finally learned their postseason fate, the Knicks watched a large lead over a shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers team go by the wayside, as they dropped a 108-102 decision to the Eastern Conference leaders in their Madison Square Garden regular season finale. Darius Garland had 26 points and 13 assists for the Cavaliers, who played without leading men De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Donovan Mitchell.

Knicks Cavaliers — Apr 11, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) fight for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Amidst the chaos, the Knicks (50-31) slide into the third seed on the Eastern playoff bracket thanks to the Indiana Pacers' loss to the Orlando Magic. New York also learned that it would face the sixth-placed Detroit Pistons in the opening round.

That, however, was likely of no consolation to a Knicks group that went all out to take down the Cavaliers for the first time in four meetings this season. With the loss, the Knicks went winless in 10 meetings against the NBA's top three teams on the Association ledger (Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Boston).

Though the Knicks likewise had some missing firepower (sitting Karl-Anthony Towns due to a minor injury), there was no doubt a foreboding aura attached to Friday's loss: New York led by as much as 23 thanks to an early built by a sharpshooting first half.

Jalen Brunson scored 15 points, Mikal Bridges dished out six assists, and Miles McBride and Landry Shamet united for 20 off the bench thanks to a 6-of-9 effort from three-point range. The Knicks hit all but three of their first 13 tries from three-point range.

They led by 15 after the first period (earning a 20-10 run over the last five minutes) and earned their largest lead with a 9-1 run at the onset of the second. Cleveland made its own run within the final five (outscoring the Knicks 17-8) but the hosting New Yorkers still appeared to have control.

The Knicks continued to have answers in the third but the bottom fell out in the final frame. An MSG crowd celebrating the end of the regular season and anticipating the next New York playoff run could only watch in stunned silence as the Knicks' lasting lead evaporated.

Cleveland (64-17) scored the first eight points of the fourth before Garland, relishing a rare showcase, scored 13 points (including 11 in a row) over the last 6:40 to seal the deal and the Knicks' dire fate. Beyond a 3-of-6 tally for Brunson, kept in the game to get his land legs back after his ankle injury woes, the Knicks shot a mere 15 -percent in the final period. The Cavs outscored the Knicks 30-16 to secure the season sweep, their first four-game tally since 2016-17.

Prior to the Pistons, the Knicks have one more game left on their regular season docket, as they face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, MSG).

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