After a classic Game 1 in which the Spurs led most of the time over the Thunder despite no De’Aaron Fox but had to overcome their own mistakes and ride some Wemby Magic to a double-overtime victory, we continue our third Fraternizing with the Enemy series of these playoffs with Cray Allred of the Daily Thunder. As a reminder, this round is in honor of the late great J.A. Sherman: friend and former manager of Welcome to Loud City, who passed away last year at the age of 49.

J.R. 

I don’t know that I’m equipped to adequately respond to Game 1. I’ve never noticed my heart rate so high for a game I wasn’t playing in. I went ahead and recorded it as a workout on my Apple Watch because it was over 120! And that was just regulation. I’m not sure that’s healthy. 

There were so many moments worthy of focusing on, but the one that I can’t let go of is this: I’ve never seen a team up by two practically let the other team score at the end of regulation while completely selling out to avoid giving up a game winning three in order to play for overtime WHILE ON THE ROAD!? I always heard that was a cardinal sin. But apparently Mitch Johnson was concerned enough by the thought of Chet hitting a wide open three that he had Wemby stay home. After I recovered from the shock, I could see the logic. 

It’s bad enough to lose a game, but the lift OKC would get from hitting a buzzer-beating game-winner would be worse than any other outcome. So he trusted his team, tired as they were, and rolled the dice into overtime, even though that didn’t work. 

I mean, overtime worked in staving off a loss in regulation, but it didn’t stop the Thunder’s momentum and San Antonio was down three with less than half a minute left when Wemby decided to play Steph Curry and shoot what the play-by-play calls a “27-foot running jump shot,” which I wouldn’t call completely accurate but I’m not in the mood to argue about. From that point, the Spurs rode the momentum from Wemby’s audacious shot into the second overtime period and won it 14-7 for a 1-0 series lead. 

I realize that I haven’t even scratched the surface of this game. I haven’t discussed the first three quarters at all. Haven’t given credit to Chet for his game-saving block to end regulation. Haven’t praised Coach Daigneault for sticking to his non-traditional 11-man (eleven?) rotation to keep his guys fresh for a 58 minute contest. Haven’t done a lot, but before I take to babbling incoherently, I want to throw it to you. What was your immediate response and what is your main takeaway from that epic series opener?

Cray:

What. A. Game. 

It was so intense, so action-packed, and long as hell that we could probably both dissect a half dozen coach and player decisions from our teams apiece. On the one hand, a little better shotmaking from the Thunder’s best players would’ve swung this to a victory. On the other, Oklahoma City had the overall turnover, transition, and shooting (thanks, Alex Caruso) that have produced blowout wins the last two season — and it wasn’t enough for a close win against San Antonio. I don’t know what to think, as eager as I am to overreact. If PtR sickos readers enjoy listening to sad Thunder fans do just that for 90 miserable minutes, they should check out Daily Thunder’s Game 1 podcast recap. 

Your questioning of that Wemby-corner assignment echoes what we’re all second guessing on the other end for OKC. As admirable a job Crazy Little Caruso has done going to war with Nikola Jokic and now Wemby in the paint, I don’t know that the battle is even worth fighting. Chet’s aggressive help from the corner when the Spurs get the ball inside to Victor is typically too little, too late. And that simultaneously opens up more of those corner threes that San Antonio has torched the league with all year. (As expected, my enjoyment of Devin Vassell has reached its conclusion.)

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems pretty clear that Wemby loves dunking on wings and going Kobe against bigs. That Steph-mode three notwithstanding, I would rather see Wemby shoot threes at around his 5+ attempt, 34% average than watch this chart get worse throughout the series.

Matter of fact, I’d rather stab my eyes out than watch him feed that chart with infinity more dunks on the head of Jalen Williams.

Two questions for you: 

1. Are the Thunder playing into the Spurs’ hands with their scheme, or would you find a straight up Chet matchup to be even more in your favor?

2. You mentioned Mark Daigneault’s remarkably deep rotation. Mitch Johnson was the polar opposite. After the half, Johnson played all but one of his starters more than their regular season average for entire games (per Mike Shearer). Which contrasting rotation approach will work out better for the duration of the series, assuming both coaches stick to their guns?

J.R.

First, I think that any single scheme isn’t going to be sufficient to stop the Frenchman. That’s not because there is no scheme capable of stopping or slowing down Victor, that’s been done before even if it hasn’t been done recently or frequently. No, the reason no one scheme is enough is because San Antonio isn’t using a single scheme against SGA, and Wembanyama is at the point where he needs to be game-planned like one of the league’s elite offensive players.

It’s not going to be good enough to have a plan for  Wemby while rotating defenders in and out to execute that scheme. You need to throw a different look at him as often as you can. Sean Sweeney mixed up defenses continually throughout Monday’s game. Shai isn’t sure what defense he’s looking at on a possession to possession basis. I see him just across half court wondering if it’s a soft trap or a zone, or whether he’s going to be blitzed as soon as he puts the ball on the floor. And the time he has to spend figuring it out means fewer chances to make plays. 

If MD and his staff have eight options but none of them are working very well, pick the five they hate the least and cycle through them while giving him a merry-go-round of defenders to execute them. The Alien is impossible to defend straight up but he still has to process what he’s facing. Your best chance is to make him work hard mentally at the same time you’re testing him physically, otherwise his shot chart will keep looking like this (which is possibly the least Wemby graphic I’ve ever seen):

As to the rotations, it’s a good question but I don’t know if I can grant your condition. Joe and Wiggins combined for five minutes, and even though he got twelve in Game 1, I don’t think this is the series for Hartenstein. That’s not a knock on him, Rudy freaking Gobert was largely benched by the end of the last series. That player prototype doesn’t seem to be compatible with winning basketball while Wemby is in the game. Which means that both teams are essentially in the same place: as usually happens when the best teams meet in a series, all roads lead toward that ubiquitous nine man rotation. 

As for the series as a whole, nothing has been decided yet, although things are beginning to take shape. Oklahoma City’s path to the finals exists, but it’s along the margins and the improvements are mainly required on offense. SGA needs to improve his shooting a little bit. Mitchell needs to make a couple more plays per half. The Thunder need to find a handful more successful offensive possessions that don’t involve a mediocre shooter taking an uncontested three. Someone needs to take Chet Holmgren aside, give him a big hug, and convince him that everyone that knows him loves him and believes in him. And finally, for crying out loud, the medical staff needs to find a way to keep JDub healthy. Please!

How about you? When your inner optimist imagines the Thunder’s Game 2 response, what do you see and how does it go?

Cray:

Yeah, Shai has been tested all postseason by doubles, triples, and overloaded zones, but the Spurs have the personnel to turn every possession into a pop quiz. OKC did mix up their sets and actions throughout the game on and off ball, weak and strong side, high and low, etc., but the window of opportunity to read and react to your advantage is so tiny with Wemby and the San Antonio scramblers. SGA has taken a leap as a playmaker this season, but he’s still not the snappiest decision maker with the ball. 

Per CourtSketch, the most balanced minutes were those featuring Alex Caruso alongside Shai against Wembanyama. Caruso is about as trustworthy a postseason shooter as OKC has on the roster. With Wemby giving him the Tony Allen treatment, the heady Caruso drifted around the arc as a capable release valve when Shai drove through traffic. The game was even through the first overtime when that duo and Wemby shared the floor, with both Thunder players outscoring the Frenchman across 27 minutes in total. Of course, Victor won that matchup in the second OT going away.

I expect Daigneault and Shai to unlock more of what worked from the playbook, and for him to speed up his reads as they get acclimated to the Spurs. As nice as sweeping the Suns and Lakers in the first two rounds was for OKC, it wasn’t great preparation for the storm they ran into in the conference finals. But Caruso isn’t going to nail 8 threes every night. Shai will need to bang home a lot more of his own — they will remain difficult looks, but he’s one of most efficient tough shotmakers in league history — and he will need help from secondary playmakers to cut, drive, and shoot in those momentary creases that open when he draws Spurs defenders.

Caruso can be an opportunistic scorer, and he managed to shake Wemby a few times. That’s not enough to lift the offense above “good enough”. You’re right to name Ajay Mitchell in this context. He never lacks aggression, but he took the wrong shots (and floaters, ugh) all night. And if Wemby can really play this heavy of a load with full energy, they’ll need someone outside of Caruso to bother him on both ends.

That’s JDub’s music. He was awesome in the most brutal game imaginable for returning from an extended injury. But he didn’t have the oomph to stand up Wemby, and might not get there this series. Like you said, hopefully he stays healthy enough to keep trying.

That brings me to De’Aaron Fox. I was bummed he missed Game 1, and really hope he’s back for Game 2. The Spurs could absolutely use his minutes; I’m curious if you are itching for him to get back into the starting lineup, though. I was terrified of Dylan Harper getting plugged in with the starters before Fox’s injury was announced. Considering Harper showing out, would you want Mitch to roll with the rookie or bring him off the bench when Fox is back?

J.R.: 

Do you know how when you’re watching a great movie or reading an excellent novel, you’ll be so engaged and involved with the characters until the scene ends and the action jumps to a different character’s thread of the story and you get that feeling of loss because you want to know what happens next with the characters that you were just with? And then the exact same thing happens the next time the scene breaks to rejoin the characters that you were initially upset at leaving? 

That’s what it’s like for me every time one of the Spurs’ three guards leaves the game. “Oh no!” I’ll think, “Harper was just playing so well, and now he’s being replaced.”Then Castle will hit a three, steal the ball and get a breakaway dunk, and then block the opposing team’s center, and I will berate myself for being upset that he came into the game. 

So I’m both excited that Harper got to start and play so much, while also being upset that Fox wasn’t available to come into the game and sub for Castle when he was spraying turnovers like a vaudeville actor doing a spit take. 

The bottom line with Fox is that I want him to come back, but I would rather wait until game three if it means, he’ll be truly healthy and can play the rest of the series without being concerned about his ankle. And if I know the Spurs training staff, they will err on the side of safety. But when he comes back, he’s absolutely got the starting job. I can’t imagine Mitch starting Harper over the veteran for more than one game.

The thing about a playoff series is that no matter who has won the previous game, sometimes it’s hard for me to imagine the other team ever winning. When Minnesota took Game 1 of the second round, it felt like the Spurs might never win. After San Antonio won the next two, it felt like they would never lose again. Do you get that too, and do you feel like Wednesday’s game is a must win for OKC?

Cray:

That casting change analogy totally resonates with me. This season, at their best, the Thunder have always trimmed the rotation down to the most predictable and trusted combination of veteran players. That’s typical of all contenders when the playoffs unfold and the 82 game players fade from view. But my cliche this season has become “pinch yourself”, writing about how it feels watching actually good players like Mitchell and Caruso and even Jared McCain subbing in for the stars. 

NBA fans are pinching themselves, too, ready for the sequel to Game 1: Clash of the Titans. We should feel good being fans of teams putting together this masterpiece. Everyone is asking how any other franchises have any hope of matching the defensive intensity, advanced strategy and tactics, and stable of young, hungry, excellent players suiting up for Oklahoma City and San Antonio on the NBA’s biggest stage. Who cares if these teams are likeable, stylish, popular, or hated? They’re the best, and they’re ours. Timberwolves fans can enjoy all the Ant ads they want while our guys are catching a breather during commercial breaks.

For the Thunder, it’s absolutely a must win (we might need to start tallying how many “must-wins” we flag throughout the series). The pressure is on, their backs are against the wall, the lights are bright…all the cliches apply for an OKC team fighting for a title repeat. I’m nervous but confident about their fate. One, because they’ve stared down these moments before, always harnessing the competitive fire of a champion. Two, because I anticipate a bit of a letdown. Even the most epic series feature more lopsided contests mixed in with the nail biters, and Game 2 for #1 seeds down 0-1 tend to even out relatively comfortably. Even if the Spurs are super fresh and unbothered by the heavy minutes from the other night, it would be really, really tough to avoid any emotional letdown and keep the edge for another 48 minutes in Loud City (although I am not putting it past them).

Cheers to Fox’s likely return, and to another great chapter in the league’s best rivalry.

The Knicks staged one of the biggest fourth-quarter comebacks in NBA playoff history on Tuesday night, storming back from 22 points down to beat the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Here's how the NYC back pages reacted...

The front page: KNICKER BONKERS!

The back page: JALE HOUSE ROCK!

Captain refuses to let Knicks lose as they steal Game 1 with historic comeback

Read more: https://t.co/QL2TBED9k3pic.twitter.com/r0JMDs6afr

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 20, 2026

pic.twitter.com/sVOwal5FvL

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) May 20, 2026

Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell didn’t sugarcoat his response to Cleveland’s collapse in Tuesday’s 115-104 overtime loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

“I said it in the locker room, just that we lost, we f–king blew it,” Mitchell said after his team squandered a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden.

Mitchell, who tallied 29 points, explained that the Cavaliers will analyze the film and look forward to Game 2 on Thursday in New York.

Warning: Explicit language

"We lost, we fu*king blew it.”

— Donovan Mitchell on what he said in the locker room.

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/fowycJ4t1H

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 20, 2026

“It’s one loss. It’s a bad loss, but all we can do is go back and watch the film and fix it,” Mitchell explained in his postgame press conference.

“We could’ve lost by 40. It still would’ve been 1-0 … We played pretty solid for three quarters or so. We’ll make adjustments and go from there.”

It seemed the Cavaliers were on their way to a third straight road win this postseason until a late Knicks surge.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his game-high 38 points as New York went on a 44-11 run over the final 12:45 of the game, including overtime.

Mitchell went scoreless in that span, missing all five of his shots, partly due to the defensive prowess of Knicks guard Landry Shamet.

Cavs center Evan Mobley logged 15 points and 14 rebounds.

James Harden scored 15 points, but was just 1-for-8 on 3-pointers and had six turnovers for Cleveland.

“That can’t happen. But it did,” Mitchell said. “We play in two days. We can’t sit here and let it kill our momentum, kill what we’ve been doing. It’s not a good loss.”

The Boston Celtics have wasted no time ramping up their pre-draft process, scheduling three additional workouts with potential draft candidates. 

According to Hoopshype’s draft workout tracker, Boston has either already hosted or is set to host the following prospects for workouts in the coming days. 

After providing a detailed breakdown of Boston’s first three scheduled pre-draft workouts, this article will take a closer look at the Celtics’ next wave of prospects invited in for evaluation.  

Baba Miller | 6’10.5” | Forward | Cincinnati | 22 

13 pts | 10.3 rebs | 3.7 asts | 1.2 blks | 53/19/66 | 57.6 TS %  

Baba Miller is one of the more intriguing developmental forwards in this draft cycle because of his rare blend of size, mobility, and perimeter skill. Standing at 6-foot-10, the Spanish forward possesses the raw tools, versatility, and physical profile that NBA teams covet in today’s modern game. He grew up developing in Real Madrid’s youth system just like the most recent Celtics first round pick Hugo Gonzalez.  

Miller spent his first two collegiate seasons at Florida State before transferring to Florida Atlantic, where he began to consistently flash the immense potential that once made him a highly regarded international prospect. His strong play there drew increased attention from scouts and ultimately paved the way for his move to Cincinnati, where he put together the most productive season of his collegiate career. 

Offensively, Miller’s biggest appeal lies in his guard-like skill set despite nearly being seven feet tall. A former guard before a major growth spurt, he remains comfortable handling the ball in transition, initiating offense, and making advanced reads as a passer. Miller’s 3.7 assists per game and 23.3 AST% ranked in the 99^th percentile for his position.  

He also proved to be a viable playmaking option out of the post, routinely zipping passes to open teammates and facilitating offense from the interior. His effectiveness in this area has improved as his frame has gradually filled out, though there is still a lot of room for additional strength development. Miller thrives when attacking open space, frequently ripping and running after defensive rebounds and generating quick offense in transition. His 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked in the 97th percentile, though his 2.2 turnovers per game still raise some concerns about decision-making consistency. Even so, I remain very confident in his overall passing ability and feel for the game. With a likely reduction in on-ball responsibilities at the next level and NBA reps, there is reason to believe those turnover numbers should naturally decline. He also finishes efficiently around the basket, converting 71 percent of his attempts at the rim, 60 percent from two-point range overall and slammed home 58 dunks. 

Defensively is where Miller projects most favorably at the NBA level. His length, lateral mobility, and instincts allow him to guard multiple positions effectively, ranging from wings to smaller bigs. He is disruptive in passing lanes, rotates well as a help defender, and provides weak-side rim protection thanks to his timing and recovery ability. Even though he’s not a huge stock percentages player, his impact was more than felt on court and through the advanced metrics. He ranked in the 96^th percentile in Regularized Adjusted Plus Minus (RAPM) on the defensive side and opponent effective field goal percentage.  

Miller also does a great job closing possessions on the glass posting a 27.7 defensive rebound parentage last season.  

The biggest concern surrounding Miller remains his offensive consistency, particularly as a shooter. While flashes of perimeter scoring exist, his three-point shot and free-throw percentages have fluctuated throughout his collegiate career, leading some scouts to question whether he can become a reliable floor spacer. During his lone season at Florida Atlantic, he shot 34 percent from a three-point range on 114 attempts, a respectable mark for a player with his size. However, this past season he struggled from deep, shooting a career-low 19 percent from beyond the arc but converted a career-best 66 percent from the free-throw line on 149 attempts.  

There is optimism with this organization in particular as the Celtics have a strong recent track record of helping players develop as shooters, with names such as Derrick White (before this year), Grant Williams, and Jordan Walsh all showing notable improvement after arriving in Boston just to name a few. Along with the shooting though, adding strength to his frame and tightening his decision-making under pressure are also viewed as developmental priorities. 

Even with those concerns, Miller’s upside continues to intrigue NBA evaluators because players with his combination of size, athletic fluidity, defensive versatility, and playmaking instincts are difficult to find. If his shooting becomes even league average, he has the tools to develop into a valuable two-way rotation forward capable of fitting into multiple lineup constructions. 

Emanuel Sharp | 6’2.75” | Guard | Houston | 22 

15.5 pts | 3 rebs | 1.7 asts | 1.2 stls | 41/37/89 | 58.2 TS % 

Emanuel Sharp is one of the most polished and impactful perimeter shooters in college basketball, operating as a high-level scoring guard for the Houston Cougars. Standing at just under 6-foot-3 and around 205 pounds, he brings a strong, compact frame, advanced off-ball instincts, and a reputation as one of the nation’s premier catch-and-shoot threats. 

Offensively, Sharp’s game is built around elite shooting gravity. He consistently moves well without the ball, uses screens effectively, and punishes defenses that overcommit elsewhere. His jumper is quick, repeatable, and highly efficient, making him a constant threat from beyond the arc both in spot-up situations and in motion. He’s a smart high IQ ball player that knows how to weaponize his shooting gravity with relocations and slips. The shot is slightly off to the side, which reminds me of Kevin Martin. The elite touch can be reinforced by his career shooting averages of 37 percent from three and 87 percent from the line. Over his college career, he has steadily increased his scoring output, reaching 15.5 points per game in his most recent season.  

Beyond the shooting Sharp brings more value than expected. While I never expect him to be a primary creator, he has shown improved comfort attacking closeouts and making simple reads within the flow of the offense. He doesn’t get many attempts at the rim, but when he does, he shows good quickness and he never seems to shy away from contact. He shot 67 percent at the rim last season on 50 shots. His playmaking ability isn’t anything to write home about, but I really value smart players who make sound decisions and don’t turn the ball over. Sharp’s 1.7 assists per game is low for a guard, but there is no doubt about his ability to make quick and correct decisions. He also has averaged less than one turnover per game for the last two seasons (99^th percentile in turnover economy).  

On defense, he is the hard-nosed, tough, ultra-competitive guard that all Houston perimeter players turn out to be regardless of size. His motor and feel for the game really flash on this end rather than the athleticism and stock rates. While he is not an elite lockdown defender, every trait I mentioned is what I believe can make him playable at that end at the next level. Being just under 6’3” does mean players will have the ability to shoot over him even if he plays solid defense though. His stocky build can help him in these situations, however leading to more jumpshots from taller opponents rather than easy backdowns. Sharp made the Big 12 All-Defensive team last season.  

Rafael Castro | 6’9’’ | Center | George Washington | 23 

15.5 pts | 9 rebs | 1.7 asts | 1.8 stls | 1.7 blks | 62.7/0/66 | 64.6 TS %  

Rafael Castro is a senior big man for the George Washington Revolutionaries who has emerged as one of the more productive and versatile frontcourt players in the Atlantic 10. After beginning his collegiate career at Providence, where his role was limited, Castro transferred to George Washington and developed into a true focal point of the offense on both ends of the floor. 
 
Castro’s selling point is as a rim-to-rim energy big who can be highly disruptive on the defensive end. Offensively, his game is largely built around finishing plays at the rim. He consistently scores in pick-and-roll situations as a roll man, where his soft hands and quick vertical burst make him a reliable target. He also takes advantage of his mobility, using his foot speed to rim run in transition and slip behind opposing bigs when rolling to the basket. 

Castro posted strong efficiency numbers in these areas, registering 1.18 points per possession as a roll man and 1.56 points per possession in transition. While he is unlikely to project as a primary hub big at the next level, he can still be utilized effectively as a handoff passer and a stationary Delay facilitator at the top of the key, where he can keep the offense moving with simple, timely reads. 

Defensively, Castro brings a blend of size, mobility, and activity that allowed him to be one of the best defensive playmakers in college basketball rather than a traditional anchor big. He can cover the ground quickly and rotate into plays out of nowhere as a help defender. One of Castro’s most impactful traits is his ability to protect the rim through timing rather than sheer size or vertical intimidation alone. He is a strong shot-contester who does a good job of meeting drivers early and altering shots at the point of attack. While he is not an elite one-on-one post stopper against bigger, stronger centers, he consistently competes, stays vertical, and uses his length to make finishing difficult for opposing bigs. Castro seems like someone who would thrive on a team that puts their center on opposing wings who can’t shoot which allows the five to roam and be athletic.  

As far as the stock numbers go, Castro averaged 3.5 stocks per game, combining steals and blocks at a high volume for a frontcourt player. His 3.5 steal percentage ranks in the 98th percentile, underscoring his disruptive presence as a help defender and his instincts in jumping passing lanes and digging down on drives. He also posted a 7.9 block percentage, further highlighting his ability to protect the rim and contest shots at a strong rate. He also brings real value as a defensive rebounder and possession-ender. He pursues the ball with energy, boxes out consistently, and uses his mobility to chase down rebounds outside his immediate area.  

The main limitation at the next level for Castro is that his frame can be tested against stronger interior scorers, especially in half-court post situations, where he can be nudged off balance or forced into early fouls. He also isn’t a high-volume rim deterrent in the traditional sense, meaning his impact is more about collective defense and disruption than outright paint domination. He also doesn’t stretch the floor, which is completely fine for his archetype, but he will have to provide real value at the things he does well to offset that. 

Apparently, getting outscored by 33 points in nearly 13 minutes in one of the biggest choke jobs in NBA history can partially be chalked up to luck.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson surprisingly cited “luck” toward the beginning of his postgame press conference after his team’s shocking collapse in the 115-104 Game 1 loss to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Cleveland led by 22 points with 7:52 remaining and somehow managed to lose by 11 in overtime.

“I thought they hit some really tough shots in that fourth quarter, those two 3’s, prayer 3’s end of shot clock,” Atkinson said after the crusher.

“We got a little unlucky, quite honestly. (Jalen) Brunson obviously took over at the end.”

It takes more than luck for a team to collapse the way the Cavaliers did Tuesday night in a loss that could be rued the way Knicks fans lament last year’s Game 1 choke job against the Pacers.

While it would be fair to cite the Knicks’ astronomical shooting percentages in the final roughly eight minutes plus overtimes, including Shamet Landry’s miracle 3-pointer that bounced in to tie the game, that would be an easy excuse for a Cavaliers team that both stopped defending and taking good shots.

The Knicks routinely went after James Harden and reaped the benefits, with Harden unable to stop Brunson when the game mattered during the Knicks’ 30-8 run in the final 7:52 of regulation.

Atkinson cited Mikal Bridges’ pair of 3s in the final 2:38 as examples of tough shots the Knicks converted.

“The two Bridges 3’s, like kind of what are you going to do?” he asked.

An inefficient offense compounded those issues since the Cavaliers could not stop the Knicks’ run at the end of regulation, settling for bad jumpers that led to one-and-done possesions.

Neither Harden nor Donovan Mitchell rose the occasion like Brunson did.

“My only regret, and this can happen when you get a little fatigue, it just stopped moving,” Atkinson said. “We were pinging the ball over the place, great ball movement and then it got a little stagnant.”

The Cavaliers’ mettle will now be tested in Game 2, since losses of this magnitude are not easy to forget.

The Knicks never overcame last year’s shocking Game 1 loss to the Pacers en route to falling in 6, but Atkinson tried to harp on the positives after one of the worst losses in franchise history.

“I’m super proud of the way our group played,” he said. “We played great basketball tonight for three quarters, unfortunately … they dominated us in the fourth quarter.”

The Knicks made it no secret during their Game 1 comeback – they were looking to embarrass James Harden.

Trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks rallied on the back of their captain clutch, Jalen Brunson, who exposed Harden in the 115-104 overtime victory.

In the fourth quarter, the Knicks did everything possible to get Harden as the primary on-ball defender, getting the veteran guard to switch on in nine isolations in the stanza and averaging 1.9 points per action, according to the “All NBA Podcast.”

Those nine isolations resulted in roughly 17.1 points for the Knicks, as Harden could do nothing to help Cleveland while it squandered the lead.

With the Knicks behind, 93-71, with roughly 7:45 to go in the game, a Brunson burner was lit, and the flames completely engulfed Harden.

The Knicks got Harden to switch into 9 isolations in the 4th quarter and OT, getting an obscene 1.9(!!) points per direct action. https://t.co/TWDE9I9L4vpic.twitter.com/Ni9TVU4Xzr

— ALL NBA Podcast (@ALLCITY_NBA) May 20, 2026

That trend continued into overtime, as Mike Brown’s group completely blew the Cavaliers out, outscoring them 14-3 in the deciding five-minute period.

Again, Harden was the primary target.

Harden was the screener in 21 on-ball picks in the fourth quarter and overtime combined, where the Knicks got 1.6 points per action in those plays (33.6 points), per the podcast.

Brown said the obvious after the win.

“It was no secret we were attacking Harden,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson kept his timeouts in his pocket as the Knicks rallied.

“I like to hold my timeouts,” Atkinson said postgame. “I try to hold them.”

He held them a bit too long on that one, as from 5:34 to 3:30 left in the fourth quarter, Brunson went on an 11-0 run by himself to give the Knicks a chance.

Atkinson mercifully called a timeout with 3:30 left as the Knicks pulled to within five points.

Harden was the primary defender on each of those buckets during the 11-0 Brunson run.

“No,” Atkinson said when asked if he considered benching Harden during defensive possessions. “He’s been one of our best defenders in these playoffs. I trust him. Smart. Great hands. Didn’t think about that.”

Game 2 on Thursday night is the Cavaliers’ next chance to steal homecourt advantage, but this one has to sting a bit extra Wednesday morning for Cleveland.