Ice-cold third quarter dooms Knicks, Cavs pull away
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talks with Jalen Brunson #11 during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on February 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 109-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Jason Miller
CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points, James Harden added 20 and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away in the second half for a 109-94 victory over the Knicks on Tuesday night.
Jalen Brunson had 20 points and Mikal Bridges scored 18 for the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson pulled down 15 rebounds, one off a season high.
The Knicks shot 35-for-86 as Bridges and Brunson were a combined 12-for-36. The Knicks shot 27% from three-point range (10 of 37).
Cleveland came into the game with the fourth-worst defense in the league on three-pointers. The Cavaliers and Knicks are both 37-22 and tied for third place in the Eastern Conference. But the Knicks would have the head-to-head tiebreaker edge if the teams are tied at the end of the season after taking two of three meetings.
Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Cavaliers won for the eighth time in nine games.
Cleveland had a 60-54 halftime advantage before taking control in the third quarter. They outscored the Knicks 23-11 in the period, and held the Knicks to 3-for-24 from the field. Harden had eight points in the quarter and Allen scored six.
It was the worst shooting quarter by the Knicks since they went 3-for-20 in the fourth quarter of a 2018 game against the Boston Celtics.
The last time the Cavaliers held a team to three or fewer field goals was last season against Minnesota (2-for-20). Cleveland was up 71-63 before going on a 13-2 run during a five-minute span late in the third and early in the fourth. The Cavaliers’ largest lead was 98-78 midway through the fourth quarter.
