A playoff series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks turned into one of the most decisive postseason matchups of 2026. The teams entered the Eastern Conference Finals with Cleveland coming off a seven-game series against Detroit, while New York had swept Philadelphia. Four games later, the Knicks had completed a 4-0 sweep, ending Cleveland’s season and reaching the NBA Finals.
For fans searching for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats, the numbers tell a detailed story. Jalen Brunson led New York’s backcourt, Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the glass, Mikal Bridges provided efficient scoring, while Donovan Mitchell remained Cleveland’s primary offensive force. Across the four games, the series featured overtime drama in Game 1, a playoff career-high 14 assists from Brunson in Game 2, and a 37-point Game 4 victory margin for New York.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats at a Glance
| Game | Date | Result | Leading Scorer | Top Rebounder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 19, 2026 | Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104 OT | Jalen Brunson — 38 | Evan Mobley — 14 |
| Game 2 | May 21, 2026 | Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93 | Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart — 26 | Karl-Anthony Towns — 13 |
| Game 3 | May 23, 2026 | Knicks 121, Cavaliers 108 | Jalen Brunson — 30 | Josh Hart — 9 |
| Game 4 | May 25, 2026 | Knicks 130, Cavaliers 93 | Donovan Mitchell — 31 | Karl-Anthony Towns — 14 |
The Knicks won the series 4-0.
Series Player Stats: Cavaliers vs Knicks
The four-game series numbers provide the clearest snapshot of individual production.
New York Knicks
| Player | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 4 | 39.6 | 25.5 | 3.3 | 7.8 | 48.7% | 18.2% |
| Mikal Bridges | 4 | 37.9 | 18.5 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 57.4% | 28.6% |
| OG Anunoby | 4 | 31.0 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 47.5% | 36.8% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 4 | 34.6 | 15.8 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 54.3% | 50.0% |
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Player | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | 4 | 37.3 | 27.3 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 47.5% | 37.8% |
| Evan Mobley | 4 | 36.4 | 17.0 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 49.1% | 28.6% |
| James Harden | 4 | 37.0 | 16.0 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 38.9% | 17.9% |
The tables show an interesting contrast. Mitchell averaged 27.3 points, the highest scoring average among the principal players listed, but New York received more balanced production from Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby and Towns. Brunson also averaged 7.8 assists, giving him a major role in creating shots for the rest of the Knicks’ lineup.
Game 1: Jalen Brunson Sets the Tone
The opening game immediately established the intensity of the series.
New York defeated Cleveland 115-104 in overtime at Madison Square Garden. Brunson produced 38 points, five rebounds and six assists, shooting 15-for-29 from the field. Mikal Bridges added 18 points, while Towns finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
For Cleveland, Evan Mobley was particularly productive on the boards, grabbing 14 rebounds, the best rebounding performance of the series opener. Mitchell eventually became the Cavaliers’ offensive centerpiece, but New York’s ability to generate scoring from multiple starters mattered throughout the extra period.
Game 1 key numbers
- Jalen Brunson: 38 points, 6 assists
- Mikal Bridges: 18 points
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 13 points, 13 rebounds
- Evan Mobley: 14 rebounds
- Final: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104
- Result: New York led the series 1-0
The overtime result was significant because Cleveland had competed for four quarters but could not close the game. For a series that eventually ended in four games, Game 1 became an early example of New York’s ability to survive pressure.
Game 2: Brunson’s Playmaking Takes Over
Two nights later, the Knicks created separation with a 109-93 victory.
Brunson scored 19 points but his biggest contribution came as a passer. He recorded 14 assists, a playoff career high according to NBA’s game coverage. Josh Hart supplied 26 points, while Mikal Bridges also scored 19. Towns contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds.
For Cleveland, Mobley had 14 points while shooting 5-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. His efficiency was solid, but the Cavaliers struggled to match New York’s overall offensive balance.
A beginner-friendly way to understand Brunson’s impact is to look beyond points. An assist means a player’s pass directly leads to a made field goal, so Brunson’s 14 assists show how heavily he influenced the Knicks’ offense even without leading the team in scoring.
Game 3: Knicks Move Within One Win
Game 3 shifted the series to Cleveland, but home court did little to slow New York.
The Knicks won 121-108, moving ahead 3-0. Brunson scored 30 points, while OG Anunoby delivered an efficient 21-point performance, shooting 6-of-10 overall and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Mikal Bridges added 22 points on an outstanding 11-of-15 shooting.
Josh Hart also filled the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals. His value was not limited to scoring; his rebounding and defensive activity helped New York maintain pressure across the court.
For Cleveland, the challenge was increasingly visible. Mitchell could produce big scoring nights, but New York continued finding contributions from several starters.
Game 4: Donovan Mitchell Scores 31, But New York Finishes the Job
Game 4 was the most one-sided contest of the series.
The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-93, winning by 37 points and completing the sweep. New York led 38-26 after the first quarter, then continued extending the advantage throughout the night.
Mitchell scored 31 points, giving Cleveland its highest individual scoring performance of the game. But the Cavaliers struggled collectively, turning the ball over 22 times while New York committed 13 turnovers. The Knicks also scored 33 fast-break points compared with Cleveland’s nine.
Towns was highly efficient for New York, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, while collecting 14 rebounds and 19 points. Hart added 11 rebounds and six assists, while Anunoby scored 17.
Game 4 statistical snapshot
| Category | Knicks | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 130 | 93 |
| Fast-break points | 33 | 9 |
| Points in paint | 50 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 22 |
| Biggest lead | 45 | 6 |
The 37-point margin was the largest victory margin of the four-game series.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer across the Eastern Conference Finals.
He averaged 27.3 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Mitchell shot 47.5% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range during the four games.
His four-game scoring total was 109 points.
| Stat | Mitchell’s Series Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 4 |
| Minutes | 149 |
| Points | 109 |
| Rebounds | 14 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Steals | 10 |
| Blocks | 2 |
| Field goals | 38/80 |
| Three-pointers | 14/37 |
| Free throws | 19/26 |
Mitchell’s most productive scoring night came in Game 4, when he posted 31 points despite the Cavaliers’ 37-point loss. That illustrates one of the central themes of the matchup: individual scoring could keep Cleveland competitive in stretches, but New York’s collective production was harder to contain.
Jalen Brunson’s Impact on the Knicks
Brunson finished the series with 102 points, averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists per game. He played nearly 40 minutes per game and was the Knicks’ primary ball-handler.
His best scoring performance came immediately in Game 1 with 38 points. Game 3 brought another 30-point performance, while Game 2 showcased his passing with 14 assists.
His series totals were:
| Stat | Jalen Brunson |
|---|---|
| Games | 4 |
| Minutes | 158 |
| Points | 102 |
| Rebounds | 13 |
| Assists | 31 |
| Steals | 4 |
| Field goals | 38/78 |
| Three-pointers | 4/22 |
| Free throws | 22/28 |
The interesting part is that Brunson did not need to dominate the three-point line to control games. His value came from creating shots, attacking inside the arc, getting to the free-throw line and organizing the Knicks’ half-court offense.
Karl-Anthony Towns vs Evan Mobley
The frontcourt matchup was another major storyline.
Towns averaged 15.8 points and 12.0 rebounds for New York, shooting 54.3% from the field and an impressive 50% from three-point range. Mobley averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists for Cleveland.
Towns’ 48 rebounds were the most among the four Knicks players highlighted in the series statistics. He also recorded 16 assists, six steals and four blocks.
Mobley, meanwhile, finished with 33 rebounds, 12 assists and six blocks.
That difference matters because rebounding is more than simply collecting missed shots. Defensive rebounds end possessions, while offensive rebounds create additional opportunities. Towns’ work on the glass helped New York limit second chances and start its own possessions.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby: The Two-Way Support
The Knicks did not rely entirely on Brunson.
Mikal Bridges averaged 18.5 points per game while shooting 57.4% from the field. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Bridges’ Game 3 performance was especially efficient: 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting. That gave New York another scoring option when Cleveland focused defensive attention on Brunson.
OG Anunoby averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.5% overall. His 36.8% three-point shooting gave the Knicks useful spacing, while his defensive role added another dimension.
This balance was important. Cleveland could not simply concentrate its defense on one scorer and expect the Knicks’ offense to stall.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks: The Four-Game Timeline
Game 1 — May 19
Cleveland 104, New York 115 OT
↓
Brunson scores 38; Mobley grabs 14 rebounds.
Game 2 — May 21
Cleveland 93, New York 109
↓
Brunson records 14 assists; Hart scores 26.
Game 3 — May 23
New York 121, Cleveland 108
↓
Brunson scores 30; Bridges scores 22.
Game 4 — May 25
New York 130, Cleveland 93
↓
Mitchell scores 31, but the Knicks complete the 4-0 sweep.
What the Cavaliers vs Knicks Stats Reveal
The final score of each game tells only part of the story. Looking at the player statistics reveals several important trends.
1. Cleveland had an elite primary scorer
Mitchell averaged 27.3 points, higher than any of the four leading Knicks players listed in the series table. He also shot 47.5% from the field and 37.8% from three.
2. New York had more balanced scoring
Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby and Towns all averaged at least 15.8 points. That balance made it difficult for Cleveland to focus its defensive game plan around a single player.
3. Brunson’s passing mattered as much as his scoring
His 31 total assists were more than three times Mitchell’s nine assists during the series. Game 2 was the clearest example, as Brunson scored 19 but created 14 assists.
4. Towns controlled the rebounding battle
Towns averaged 12 rebounds per game, compared with Mobley’s 8.3. His 48 rebounds across four games were particularly valuable in a physical postseason matchup.
5. Game 4 exposed Cleveland’s turnover problems
The Cavaliers committed 22 turnovers in the deciding game, compared with 13 for New York. The Knicks turned those opportunities into a 33-9 advantage in fast-break points.
Why the Series Became a 4-0 Sweep
The Cleveland Cavaliers had reached the Eastern Conference Finals after beating Toronto in seven games and Detroit in seven games. New York entered the conference finals after sweeping Philadelphia, giving the Knicks a different workload heading into the matchup.
Once the series began, New York repeatedly found ways to produce from several positions.
Brunson handled much of the creation. Towns provided size and rebounding. Bridges supplied efficient perimeter scoring, while Anunoby and Hart contributed across multiple statistical categories.
Cleveland still received major production from Mitchell and Mobley, but the overall series numbers show a wider distribution of production on New York’s side. The Knicks ultimately won all four games by margins of 11, 16, 13 and 37 points.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Head-to-Head Context
The rivalry was not limited to the playoffs. During the 2025-26 regular season, the teams met three times.
Cleveland lost the October 22 opener 119-111, then fell 126-124 at New York on Christmas Day. The Cavaliers answered with a 109-94 victory over the Knicks on February 24, 2026.
That made the playoff sweep particularly notable because Cleveland had already demonstrated during the regular season that it could beat New York.
The postseason matchup, however, developed very differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the leading scorer in the Cavaliers vs Knicks 2026 series?
Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer, averaging 27.3 points per game. Among the Knicks, Jalen Brunson averaged 25.5 points per game.
How many games did the Cavaliers vs Knicks Eastern Conference Finals last?
The series lasted four games, with New York winning every game and completing a 4-0 sweep.
How many points did Donovan Mitchell score against the Knicks?
Mitchell scored 109 total points across the four Eastern Conference Finals games, averaging 27.3 points per game.
How many points did Jalen Brunson average against Cleveland?
Brunson averaged 25.5 points per game against the Cavaliers in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. He also averaged 7.8 assists.
Who had the most rebounds in the Cavaliers vs Knicks series?
Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 12.0 rebounds per game and collected 48 rebounds across the four games.
Who scored 38 points in Game 1?
Jalen Brunson scored 38 points in Game 1, helping New York defeat Cleveland 115-104 in overtime.
Who had 14 assists in Game 2?
Jalen Brunson recorded 14 assists in Game 2. He scored 19 points while helping New York take a 2-0 series lead.
What was the final score of Game 4?
The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-93 on May 25, 2026, completing the Eastern Conference Finals sweep.
Final Takeaway
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats from the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals show a series where individual performances were impressive on both sides, but the distribution of production favored New York.
Mitchell’s 27.3 points per game kept Cleveland’s offense dangerous, while Mobley provided interior defense and rebounding. For New York, Brunson combined scoring with elite playmaking, Towns controlled the boards, and Bridges and Anunoby consistently added efficient supporting production.
The final numbers are difficult to separate from the result: New York won 4-0, with victories of 11, 16, 13 and 37 points. The final game produced the most dramatic statistical statement of the series, as the Knicks scored 130 points while forcing Cleveland into 22 turnovers and building a 45-point lead at one stage.
For fans looking back at the matchup, the box scores show why the series was decided so quickly: Cleveland had a high-volume scorer in Mitchell, but New York consistently received meaningful contributions across its starting lineup.
