Knicks Storm Back to Win Christmas Thriller Behind Brunson’s Heroics and Bench Spark
Madison Square Garden has seen its share of holiday magic, but the Knicks delivered a Christmas comeback that felt straight out of a script. Down 17 in the fourth quarter, New York roared back to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124, notching their third straight Christmas Day win in front of a raucous home crowd.
Brunson Delivers in the Clutch
Jalen Brunson continues to be the heartbeat of this Knicks team, and Thursday was another reminder why. He poured in 34 points, including a cold-blooded go-ahead three with just over a minute left. That shot capped a furious 13-2 run, fueled by Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, and Tyler Kolek all connecting from deep to slice into what had been a double-digit deficit.
Brunson’s ability to control pace, get to his spots, and hit timely shots was on full display. In a game loaded with momentum swings, he was the constant New York needed.
Bench Mob Ignites the Rally
The comeback didn’t start with the stars-it started with the bench. Rookie guard Tyler Kolek and big man Mitchell Robinson changed the energy in the fourth quarter.
Kolek, who finished with 16 points and nine assists, had the Garden rocking after a late-game block on Donovan Mitchell that was initially whistled a foul but overturned on review. That sequence alone turned the tide and had fans chanting his name.
Robinson, back to doing the dirty work he’s known for, was relentless on the glass. He pulled down 13 rebounds, many of them on the offensive end, giving the Knicks extra possessions when they needed them most. His hustle was the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up in the box score but absolutely shifts a game.
Clarkson Finds His Groove
Jordan Clarkson, coming off the bench, gave the Knicks a much-needed scoring punch. He dropped 25 points and sparked New York’s second-quarter surge with back-to-back threes. That stretch flipped the momentum after Cleveland had built a 15-point lead early and looked like they might run away with it.
Clarkson’s ability to heat up quickly and stretch the floor was critical. He’s the kind of microwave scorer who can swing a game in minutes, and that’s exactly what he did.
Cavs Start Fast, Fade Late
Cleveland came out firing, jumping to an 18-3 lead behind 10 early points from Donovan Mitchell. They led by 15 after one quarter and looked in full control.
Mitchell was electric, finishing with 34 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. He had the highlight of the night with a thunderous alley-oop slam off a half-court lob from Darius Garland in the third quarter.
Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, and Evan Mobley, returning from a five-game absence, chipped in 14 points and nine boards. Mobley looked comfortable early, scoring Cleveland’s final four buckets of the first half, but the Cavs couldn’t hold the lead when it mattered most.
That’s the story for Cleveland-flashes of brilliance, but not enough execution down the stretch. They had a 12-point cushion with under nine minutes to play and let it slip away. The loss snapped their bid for a third straight win.
What’s Next
The Cavaliers head to Houston on Saturday, while the Knicks will look to build on the momentum from one of their most thrilling wins of the season. If Brunson keeps playing like this and the bench continues to contribute, this team is going to be a tough out for anyone.
On a night where the spotlight shines brightest, the Knicks delivered a performance worthy of the stage. And once again, the Garden faithful went home with a holiday memory they won’t soon forget.