Knicks Rally on Christmas Behind Brunson’s Heroics, Bench Depth in Thrilling Comeback Win Over Cavs
Madison Square Garden delivered the drama on Christmas Day, and the New York Knicks made sure the holiday hoops slate opened with fireworks. Down 17 in the fourth quarter, New York stormed back to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers, 126-124, in a game that showcased not just star power, but serious depth.
Let’s start with the closer: Jalen Brunson. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year lived up to the nickname again.
He poured in 13 of his 34 points in the final quarter, including a cold-blooded pull-up three with just over a minute remaining that gave the Knicks the lead for good. That’s the kind of shot that echoes through MSG - and through the East standings.
But this comeback didn’t happen without serious help from the second unit. Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, and Mitchell Robinson flipped the game in the final frame.
Clarkson dropped 25 off the bench, hitting tough shots and keeping the Knicks within striking distance. Kolek, the rookie guard with the poise of a vet, added 16 points and nine assists, including a few game-altering plays down the stretch.
And Robinson? He was a wrecking ball on the offensive glass - 13 boards in under 17 minutes, eight of them on the offensive end.
That’s not just hustle; that’s game-changing activity.
This wasn’t just a comeback - it was a statement. The Knicks are more than just Brunson and a few starters. They’re deep, they’re gritty, and they’re built to win in different ways.
Cleveland’s Missed Opportunity
For Cleveland, this one’s going to sting. The Cavaliers were in control for most of the game and looked ready to notch a signature win on national TV.
Donovan Mitchell matched Brunson with 34 points, and Darius Garland chipped in 20. Evan Mobley, returning from a calf injury, gave them a solid 25 minutes off the bench and added 14 points.
The Cavs built their 17-point lead with just over 10 minutes to play in the fourth. But then the Knicks’ energy shifted.
The Garden crowd got loud, the bench got hot, and Cleveland couldn’t stop the bleeding. A Kolek three after another Robinson offensive rebound cut the lead to three with 4:31 left.
A minute later, Brunson tied it with a stepback triple - and from there, it was a back-and-forth sprint to the finish.
One of the turning points came with under two minutes left. Mitchell looked to have a breakaway layup, but Kolek chased him down and stripped the ball - a play initially ruled a foul before New York successfully challenged.
On the other end, Kolek grabbed a long rebound and found Mikal Bridges for a go-ahead jumper. That sequence swung the momentum firmly in the Knicks’ favor.
Garland briefly put Cleveland back on top with a layup, but Brunson answered with his dagger three. Karl-Anthony Towns sealed it with a tough putback layup with 27 seconds left, completing one of the most thrilling Knicks wins of the season.
Knicks Depth Is No Joke
What’s become clear over the last month - and especially on Christmas - is that this Knicks team is deeper than it’s been in years. This isn’t a top-heavy squad relying on one or two guys to carry the load every night. They’ve got options.
Clarkson’s scoring punch. Kolek’s playmaking and energy.
Robinson’s relentless rebounding. Landry Shamet and Miles McBride have had their moments too.
These aren’t just role players - they’re difference-makers. And on a night when the Knicks were flat in the first and third quarters, it was the bench that kept them alive.
New York was outscored by 15 in the first quarter and 14 in the third. But they responded with a 17-point edge in the second, and then a furious fourth-quarter rally that flipped the game. That kind of resilience - and that kind of depth - is what separates good teams from great ones.
At 21-9 through Christmas, the Knicks are a game ahead of where they were last season. But more importantly, they’re showing signs of being a team built for the long haul. A team that can win ugly, win late, and win when the stars need a lift.
What’s Next
The Christmas Day slate rolls on with four more games, including a rematch between the Spurs and Thunder, a Western Conference clash between the Mavericks and Warriors, and LeBron James making his 20th Christmas Day appearance as the Lakers host the Rockets. The nightcap features the Timberwolves visiting the defending champion Nuggets.
But make no mistake - the Knicks set the tone. On a day filled with marquee matchups, it was New York’s depth, grit, and Captain Clutch that stole the spotlight.